Structural and functional characterisation of two vdac isoforms from plant mitochondria

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Project objective

Research objectives and content We propose to characterise the structure and the function of two VDAC (voltage-dependent anion selective channel) isoforms from the outer membrane of plant mitochondria: Plant seeds are used because it allows large scale purification of two VDAC isoforms. In order to establish a structure-function relationship for these channel we will combine two methodological approaches. Secondary structure and topology Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) will be used to study the secondary structure and the orientation of the entire VDAC molecules in the membrane as well as peptide fragments (obtained after proteolysis). Experiments will be made to follow the structural changes associated to the voltage dependence of the channel properties. ATR-FTIR offers an unique possibility to provide structural information about secondary structure and secondary) structure changes in a lipid environment. Functional characterisation We will characterise electropysiological differences of purified VDAC isoforms at a single channel level (conductance. selectivity. probability of openings etc.) and study how phosphorylation regulates the channel properties. Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact) The implementation of this project will provide me a high quality training in the several techniques whose application can be extended to any other membrane channel protein. This will give me the opportunity to develop and carry out new research projects in other laboratories within the European Union.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• UNIVERSITE LIBRE DE BRUXELLES · BRUXELLESCoordinatorBelgium
• Not availableCity levelGermany

Links

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