Quality control at the protein entry gate of mitochondria (B11)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 269925409

The translocase of the outer membrane (TOM complex) imports about 1000 different proteins into mitochondria. We discovered the mitochondrial protein translocation-associated degradation (mitoTAD) pathway that clears arrested precursor proteins from the TOM channel to ensure full import capacity. In this project we will analyse the molecular mechanisms and the cellular role of the mitoTAD pathway. Therefore we will investigate how and which translocation-arrested precursor proteins are recognized and ubiquitylated. In addition, we will study how the mitoTAD pathway is integrated into a cellular stress and metabolic signalling network.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1218: Mitochondrial regulation of cellular function
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Co-Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Thomas Becker