Projects
Manipulation of the eukaryotic secretory system: production of homogenously modified proteins for structural analysis and biotechnology Ghent University
Pichia pastoris and HEK293 cells are engineered to produce homogenously modified proteins, on the one hand for structural biology and on the other hand for use as biopharmaceuticals.
The 3D non-native code of secretory protein sorting and targeting (NONACO3D) KU Leuven
Proteins are essential for life in all organisms: they mediate cell signalling and cell division and provide structure/motility to cells and tissues. All proteins are synthesised on cytoplasmic ribosomes as unfolded amino acyl polymers that need to find their correct location in the compartmentalised cell and acquire their native functional state. These processes are very important: protein mislocalisation and misfolding are deleterious and ...
The role of the trigger factor chaperone in protein sorting and secretory targeting, Acronym: TFaST KU Leuven
The role of the trigger factor chaperone in protein sorting and secretory targeting (TFaST) aims to shed light on the universal processes of protein folding and secretion by going beyond the available static structures and determining the structural dynamics basis of these processes focusing chiefly on the contributions of the trigger factor (TF) chaperone. Over the past 40 years it has become apparent that the folding behaviours of secretory ...
Protein kinase inhibitors: a novel approach to treat secretory diarrhoea Ghent University
The goal of this project is to identify novel inhibitors of protein kinases in the intestinal epithelium, especially cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase II (cGKII) as a basis for the development of new drugs for the treatment of secretory diarrhea (SD) and potentially also irritable bowel syndrome ( "irritable bowel syndrome", IBS). The developed technology platform, the project aims an alternative target for the same indications, ...
Structural basis of protein sorting and targeting in the secretory pathway. KU Leuven
Cells have elaborate internal compartments and specialized proteins that function inside or outside the plasma membrane. A remarkably selective process that contributes to cell organization and protein trafficking is the Sec secretion pathway. This essential and ubiquitous export machinery comprises several specific components: molecular chaperones like SecA and SecB sort and target pre-proteins to the membrane; SecYEG forms membrane-embedded ...
Structural dynamics of secretory protein sorting, targeting, translocation (DynamicSTarT) KU Leuven
component is the Sec translocase, a nanomachine that recognizes exported proteins and takes them out of cell membranes. Pathogenic bacteria use the Sec system to export proteins such as toxins. To control pathogenicity and exploit it for biopharmaceuticals production we need to understand how it works. Scientists have identified Sec components and we have previously determined essential novel signals that allow exported proteins to find it. ...
Protein folding oscillations in the secretome KU Leuven
Non-folding signals and their decoding by chaperones in the secretory pathway KU Leuven
Non-Fold explores the hypothesis that secretory proteins have evolved unique structural/sequence characteristics that set them apart as a novel and unique structural class. (Pre)secretome polypeptides have a strong inherent propensity for elevated disorder and flexibility, These properties maintain secretory chains in stable kinetic, non-folding, and yet commonly soluble, traps with three major repercussions: a. they facilitate polypeptide ...
Purification of the Secretory Pathway Ca2+/Mn2+ ATPases for Functional Analysis and Drug Discovery KU Leuven
The organellar P2-type Ca2+-transport ATPases, namely Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and Secretory Pathway Ca²⁺ ATPase (SPCA), are essential to maintain a low resting cytosolic Ca2+ level. At the same time they load respectively the intracellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi stores with Ca2+. This allows Ca2+ signaling to occur and it supports several organellar processes such as protein folding and maturation. ...