Establishment of plasma membrane domain identity in epithelial cells (26*)

• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2018 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 112927078

In this project we focus on the connection between phosphoinositide (PIP) converting enzymes with the cell adhesion machinery in epithelial cells. Our hypothesis is that initial adhesion patterns are propagated into large scale polarization of the plasma membrane and the cell cortex via coupling of adhesion proteins to PIP converting enzymes. We will test this hypothesis using a micro-pattern cell adhesion system, proximity labelling approach and a reversible chemical dimerization to manipulate PIP levels. Altogether, this project will provide us with a quantitative model of how differential PIP patterns are established in the membrane of epithelial cells and its downstream role in the apical-basal polarization process.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 83: Molecular Architecture and Cellular Functions of Lipid/Protein Assemblies
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Alf Honigmann