Molecular characterization and function of novel structures in the karyoplasm

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Werner Wilhelm Franke (†)
• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: from 1998 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5111582

The nucleus contains, in addition to the chromosomal structures and their transcriptional arrays, the nuclear envelope with the lamina and a diversity of particles and 'bodies', a series of further general structures the ultrastructure of which is only partially known, whereas their biochemical composition and functions are almost entirely unknown. Such studies include certain nucleus-specific filaments such as the bundles of 5-6nm filaments anchoring at the inner pore complex annuli and the 'meducoid bodies' composed of spheroidally arranged 8-12nm thick, often rather long (*2 µm) filaments with periodical thickenings. The major components of these nuclear structures will be characterized with molecular biological methods, reconsituted in vitro (if possible), immunocytochemically localized and their functions elucidated. In addition, constitutive nucleoplasmic structures - often appearing as granules - have been identified in recent years which are characterized by their contents of certain cytoskeletal proteins known from intercellular functions such as the desmosomal plakophilins and the tight junctional symplekin. These junction plaque protein-containing 'bodies' will be identified, isolated and their molecular components as well as their functions determined.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1050: Funktionelle Architektur des Zellkerns
• Participating Person: Professorin Dr. Ilse Hofmann