The role of oligonucleotide-modifying enzymes AlkBH1 and AlkBH7 in mitochondria. (B07)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: Funded in 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 325871075

AlkBH1 and AlkBH7 are members of the oligonucleotide-modifying AlkBH enzymes, a subfamily of Fe(II) and 2-oxoglutarate dependent oxygenases. Both seem to localise to mitochondria, but substrates are unknown (AlkBH7) or were controversially discussed (AlkBH1). AlkBH1 knockout mice die before birth, whereas AlkBH7 knockout mice are viable, but obese. The link to enzymatic activity is unknown. We plan to investigate the role of AlkBH1 and 7 in mitochondria by combining cellular and in-vitro approaches. This will help to link the developmental defects to enzymatic activity and will unravel their role in physiological and pathological conditions.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1309: Chemical Biology of Epigenetic Modifications
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Head: Dr. Alexander Wolf