Analyses of RCF function in supramolecular organization of the mitochondrial respiratory chain

• Applicant: Dr. Markus Deckers
• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: from 2014 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 248087036

A heterogeneous mixture of respiratory chain supercomplexes exists in eukaryotic cells representing a special microenvironment for mitochondrial respiration. Supercomplex formation is triggered by the assembly of individual respiratory chain complexes embedded in the mitochondrial inner membrane and further oligomerization into supramolecular structures. This process is regulated by the supercomplex formation factor Rcf1 and is altered in regard to physiological demands, like changes in cellular oxygen supply. Low oxygen levels result in the up-regulation of hypoxic and down-regulation of aerobic nuclear gene expression. Single subunits inside the respiratory chain complexes are degraded and replaced by hypoxic-induced counterparts to modulate enzymatic functions. The mechanisms underlying how subunits are exchanged, as well as the oligomeric state of hypoxic respirasomes and factors involved in the adaption process, are still unclear. Using yeast as a model organism to assess respirasome formation, we will address general mechanisms for supercomplex organization and espacially during hypoxic subunit exchange inside the cytochrome c oxidase. Moreover, we aim to dissect the function of Rcf1 and to identify novel components involved in the regulation of respiratory chain oligomerization.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Major Instrumentation: Parallel-Laborfermentersystem
• Instrumentation Group: 3520 Bakterien-Zuchtgeräte, Fermenter