Molekulare Funktion von Proteinen der cation diffusion facilitator Proteinfamilie untersucht am Beispiel des CzcD- und des Dme-Proteins aus Wauterisia (Ralstonia) metallidurans

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Dietrich H. Nies
• Subject Area: Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Term: from 2001 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5345290

The CzcD protein is the first described member of the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) protein family. CDF proteins occur in all domains of life, including man, and are important factors for zinc (and cobalt, cadmium, maybe iron) homoeostasis. The goals of our proposal are (i) to obtain the crystal structure of the CzcD protein in co-operation with Hartmut Michel (MPI Biophysik, Frankfurt), (ii) to understand the physiological function of CDF proteins in Ralstonia metallidurans and Escherichia coli in co-operation with Christopher Rensing (Tucson, Arizona), (iii) to develop biochemical test systems for CDF proteins, e.g. the proteoliposome model (Halle) and E. coli inside-out vesicles (Tucson) and (iv) to track down the way of a heavy metal cation from one face of the cytoplasmic membrane to the other face by means of site directed mutagenesis.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants