Mechanisms of Wnt protein secretion (A01)

• Subject Area: Developmental Biology ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 331351713

Wnt proteins are lipidated glycoproteins which require a specialized secretion machinery for their export. Previously, we identified in genetic screens the Wnt cargo-receptor Evi/Wls as an essential factor for Wnt secretion and studied its role ex vivo and in vivo. Nevertheless, it remains currently unclear how Evi/Wls interacts on a molecular level with different proteins in the secretion and ERAD pathways in order to regulate the secretion of Wnt ligands. To address these questions, we will identify novel Wnt secretion components by a genetic screen in Drosophila, analyze the biochemical interactions and the structure of Evi/Wls with interacting proteins and will further characterize the functions of novel regulators.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1324: Mechanisms and functions of Wnt signaling
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Michael Boutros; Professorin Dr. Irmgard Sinning, since 7/2021