Control of aberrant TDP-43 phase transitions by the selective autophagy machinery (F04*)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry ; Biophysics ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 259130777

Aberrant phase transitions may underlie the formation of TDP-43 (TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDa) aggregates in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The combination of in vitro, cellular and computational studies will uncover how the selective autophagy machinery recognizes and deals with different TDP-43 condensates (liquid-like vs. solid-like condensates) and how aberrant TDP-43 condensates or other protein aggregates affect autophagic flux.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1177: Molecular and Functional Characterization of Selective Autophagy
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Dorothee Dormann; Professor Dr. Gerhard Hummer