Regulation of biogenesis and function of the mitochondrial protein import machinery by phosphorylation (A06)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 403222702

The mitochondrial protein import machinery mediates import of more than 1000 different precursor proteins from the cytosol and has been considered to be constitutively active. We showed that the central entry gate at the outer membrane, the TOM complex, is regulated by cytosolic kinases to adjust precursor influx to cellular demands. Here, we aim to decipher the molecular details function of phosphorylation of the import receptor TOM22 by MAP kinases and their (patho)physiological consequences. We will also characterize phosphatase candidates that dephosphorylate TOM subunits and investigate their role in regulation of protein import.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1381: Dynamic organization of cellular protein machineries: From biogenesis and modular assembly to function
• Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Maja Köhn, until 6/2023; Professor Dr. Chris Meisinger