Molecular and biophysical approaches to study insulin secretory granules and lipid microdomains in vitro and in living insulinoma cells

• Applicant: Professor Michele Solimena
• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2008 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 81118396

ICA512 is a receptor of the insulin secretory granules (SGs) whose cytosolic tail is cleaved upon SG exocytosis. This event triggers a signalling cascade that allows pancreatic ß-cells to adjust their insulin release, SG biogenesis and proliferation to metabolic demand. We plan to combine molecular and biochemical approaches with total internal reflection microscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to quantitatively visualize the cleavage of single ICA512 molecules in relationship to membrane microdomains. This information may benefit our understanding of diabetes and of the dynamic nature of membrane microdomains in relation to hormone secretion and cell signaling.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professorin Dr. Petra Schwille