Specific roles of Atg8s in vesicle trafficking (B02)

• Subject Area: Structural Biology
• Term: from 2016 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 267205415

We will investigate the mechanism of trafficking and secretion of the HIV-1 Nef protein. The viral protein Nef is known to be myristoylated and is assumed to shuttle between a closed cytoplasmic and an opened membrane-anchored state. Nef induces the release of high numbers of exosomes, but also inter-plays with the autophagic machinery. By biochemical and structure-based approaches the molecular basis for the interaction of HIV-1 Nef with autophagy related proteins (ATG) will be determined. Furthermore, we will elucidate how Nef is transported in an ATG-dependent manner.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1208: Identity and Dynamics of Membrane Systems - from Molecules to Cellular Functions
• Major Instrumentation: Live - Cell Analysis System, Incubator IncuSafe Package
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Project Head: Professor Dieter Willbold, Ph.D.