Role of Mon1-Cccz1 Protein Complex in Lysosome Fusion and Biogenesis

• Applicant: Dr. Margarita Cabrera
• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2008 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 84129674

Eukaryotic cells contain distinct membrane-enclosed organelles that are connected by trafficking vesicles. Transport between organelles involves two essential steps: vesicle budding from the donor membrane and fusion with the target organelle membrane. Although the molecular machinery responsible of these reactions has been identified, it is still unknown the mechanisms that ensure the specificity of membrane fusion. Recent findings suggest that the proteins Mon1 and Ccz1 are important components to drive membrane fusion events at endosomes and lysosomes. This study will be focused on the structure analysis of these proteins, characterisation of their functions in vacuole fusion and identification of mechanisms regulating their activities.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants