Regulation of membrane dynamics at endosomes and vacuoles in Eukaryots
Eukaryotic cells contain an extensive endomembrane system. Transport of proteins and lipids within this system occurs on vesicles, which pinch off from one membrane and fuse with the next (see model below). To maintain identity of each organelle, fission and fusion need to be balanced.
Within our group, we are interested in intracellular membrane dynamics and focus on the yeast endocytic pathway, in particular on the vacuole (the lysosome-equivalent of yeast). The main focus is the fusion machinery, which is conserved among eukaryots, and includes tethers, Rabs and SNAREs. In this context, we have developed a strong interest in postranslational modifications like protein palmitoylation and phosphorylation.
A recent example of from our work is shown below. Two bona-fide organelle markers, the endosomal Rab5-homolog Vps21 and the vacuolar Rab7-homolog Ypt7, are on separate organelles in the wild-type, but are found on the same organelle in a mutant strain. This suggests that organelle identity is perturbed in this mutant. We presently focus on the molecular details determining this process. For further details see our projects page.
Professor of Biochemistry, University of Osnabrück, Department of Biology, Barbarastrasse 13, 49076 Osnabrück
phone: +49-541-969-2752 (-2884, fax)
email: Christian.Ungermann (at) biologie.uni-osnabrueck.de
MSc 1993 (Oregon State University, USA), PhD 1996 (University of Munich), 1997-1999 postdoc at Dartmouth Medical School, USA, 1999-2005 Group leader, Biochemie Zentrum Heidelberg, since 2006 Professor of Biochemistry, University of Osnabrück
(Rab GTPases and tethers in endosome-vacuole biogenesis)