The role of rhodopsin oligomers in the amplifier submodule of retinal rods (D05)

• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: from 2007 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 25065445

In this project, we want to quantify how much membrane localization and oligomeric organization of GPCRs contribute to the performance of the rhodopsin/transducin (Gt) amplifier submodule in retinal rods. To obtain parameters for kinetic models, time-resolved measurements of Gt activation will be performed with mono- and oligomeric receptor forms in solution and in membrane preparations. Then the measurements will be extended to include the signaling proteins rhodopsin kinase and arrestin/p44. Negative controls, in which oligomerization does not occur will be developed to prepare later in vivo verification of the results in transgenic mice.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 740: From Molecules to Modules: Organisation and Dynamics of Functional Units in Cells
• Major Instrumentation: Light scattering
• Instrumentation Group: 5170 Elektronenoptische Bildwandlergeräte und Bildverstärker (außer Fernsehanlagen 673)
• Applicant Institution: shared FU Berlin and HU Berlin through:; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• Co-Applicant Institution: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Oliver-Peter Ernst; Professor Dr. Klaus Peter Hofmann