Molecular switches in the TGF-β signaling pathway – the role of inositol pyrophosphate messengers (A24)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 278001972

the TGF-β signal transduction pathway, in particular with regards to EMT. By combining chemical biology approaches with systems biology, we aim to characterize two molecular switches in the pathway, the interaction of inositol pyrophosphates with SMAD complexes and the pyrophosphorylation of the non-muscle myosin MYH9. We hypothesize that these interactions and modifications alter the dynamics of TGF-β signal transduction and as a consequence promote EMT. With these studies we expect to provide an important basis to identify molecular mechanisms that determine tumor promoting effects of TGF-β.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 186: Molecular Switches: Spatio-temporal Control of Cellular Signal Transmission
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Dorothea Fiedler; Professorin Dr. Ursula Klingmüller