Modification of GTP-binding proteins by deamidating and glycosylating toxins (P17)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: from 2007 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 26068018

GTP-binding proteins are switch proteins, which regulate diverse cell signaling pathways and thereby control fundamental cellular functions. Various bacterial protein toxins target these GTP-binding proteins by post-translational modification, including deamidation and glycosylation, which results in the activation or inactivation of specific downstream signaling cascades. The project aims on the characterization of the molecular mechanisms of these toxin enzymes, the identification of determinants for substrate recognition and specificity, and the characterization of the functional consequences in cellular and pathological context.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 746: Functional Specificity by Coupling and Modification of Proteins
• Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Klaus Aktories; Dr. Thomas Jank; Privatdozent Dr. Joachim Orth, until 12/2014