Functional characterization of novel mechanisms regulating SERCA activity and Ca2+ homeostasis in D. melanogaster (P21*)

• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2019 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 180879236

The project P21 focuses on the mechanistic understanding of a novel process that regulates activity of the calcium ATPase (SERCA) within Ca2+ uptake membrane microdomains of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of flies. Impaired activity of the metalloprotease Nep4 significantly affected cardiac Ca2+ homeostasis and induced a strong arrhythmia phenotype. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the Nep4 mediated regulation of SERCA, they will (i) identify phenotype-relevant Nep4 peptide substrates, (ii) analyze the suborganellar localization, and (iii) determine the funciton and dynamics between Nep4 and SERCA in detail.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 944: Physiology and Dynamics of Cellular Microcompartments
• Applicant Institution: Universität Osnabrück
• Project Head: Dr. Heiko Harten