The regeneration-module in photoreceptor cells (D01)

• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: from 2007 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 25065445

In retinal rods the receptor rhodopsin and visual arrestin are at the interlink between three modular functions, namely, G protein coupled signaling, receptor regeneration and translocation of proteins. We want to study how the channeling of the retinal ligand during rhodopsin regeneration works. Main goals are the characterization of the retinal entrance and exit routes and the role of protein flexibility in retinal channeling. We also want to explore the interplay between retinal release and arrestin binding, in order to understand how arrestin protects the rod cell from toxic levels of all-trans-retinal.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 740: From Molecules to Modules: Organisation and Dynamics of Functional Units in Cells
• Applicant Institution: shared FU Berlin and HU Berlin through:; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• Project Heads: Dr. Martin Heck; Professor Dr. Klaus Peter Hofmann