GRK 3085:  Regulation of Protein Complexes at Membrane Interfaces in Pathophysiology - Short title: Regulation of Membrane Proteins (RTG-ReMPro)

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: since 2025
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 535257441

Within the RTG-ReMPro (Regulation of Membrane Proteins), we aim to understand how posttranslational modifications (PTMs) influence the plasticity of membrane proteins for the regulation of cells, specialized tissues and body homeostasis. Dysregulation of membrane proteins can lead to pathological conditions. Our vision is that the RTG-ReMPro will lead to a better understanding of the diverse modifications of membrane proteins, by analyzing posttranslational events that regulate the function of receptors, proteases, channels, transporters, and adhesion molecules. Therefore, the RTG-ReMPro will generate information about the regulation of membrane proteins at a mechanistic level that goes far beyond transcriptome analysis. The properties of membrane proteins have often been studied in a limited manner, largely ignoring regulatory elements such as protein-protein interactions within or near the membrane or other posttranslational modifications. Such processes are invisible at the level of transcription. Importantly, some of these regulatory events are reversible (e.g., lipidation, glycosylation, or phosphorylation), while proteolysis or myristoylation are irreversible modifications. In the RTG-ReMPro, we aim to study these regulatory elements in two closely connected research topics: (1) Shaping and removal of membrane proteins by irreversible proteolytic processes. (2) Reversible regulation of membrane proteins by protein interactions and other posttranslational modifications. The contribution of the medical research institutes of the proposed RTG-ReMPro represents a special type of consortium that connects basic biochemical research with physiology and disease. The proposed work program of the RTG-ReMPro is ideally suited for the training of doctoral students from natural sciences and medicine, supported by many years of expertise within the (pre)clinical research institutes (Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Research). All project leaders were selected based on three main criteria: 1) proven ability to teach, train and support the careers of doctoral researchers, 2) excellent scientific and collaborative qualifications, and 3) expertise related to the regulation of membrane proteins. The most important tasks of the RTG-ReMPro training program are the support and promotion of doctoral researchers and early career scientists in a stimulating scientific environment of different disciplines from basic research with clinical application potential. We are convinced that the RTG-ReMPro will further develop our graduate program in order to educate and support students in natural and medical sciences at the highest international level.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Christoph Becker-Pauly
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Thomas Baukrowitz; Professor Dr. Markus Bleich; Professor Dr. Markus Damme; Dr. Marian Yong-An Hu; Professorin Dr. Sabrina Jabs; Professorin Dr. Daniela Panakova; Professor Dr. Paul Saftig; Professorin Dr. Franziska Theilig; Professor Dr. Elmar Wolf