FourFeFourS | Molecular Understanding of Generation and Trafficking of Mitochondrial [4Fe-4S] Clusters

Summary
Iron-sulfur [Fe-S] clusters play a vital role in numerous cellular functions. They are a sine qua non for cellular energy production and maintenance of genomic stability. Therefore, elucidation of the biogenesis of [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-4S] proteins is of utmost importance for basic science in its broadest sense, as it is for ongoing efforts to establish their relevance to human disease and their utilization for biotechnological production of fine chemicals in microorganisms. The iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) assembly process is responsible for incorporating the inorganic cluster into [Fe-S]-associated proteins in the mitochondria. Cytosolic and nuclear [Fe-S] protein assembly that dictates cellular iron concentrations and DNA integrity outside of the mitochondria also depends on the function of the ISC machinery. The mitochondrial ISC biogenesis machinery entails at least 17 proteins, yet how the proteins for [4Fe-4S] maturation work in a unified manner to produce the active cluster and transfer it to target proteins remains poorly understood. FourFeFourS intends to discover the underlying mechanisms of [4Fe-4S] biogenesis in the mitochondria, which could shed new light into how dysfunction of the proteins involved may lead to fatal diseases. To this end, studies will combine a biochemical reconstitution assay of the biological process utilizing isolated ISC proteins in conjunction with spectroscopic and spectrometric experiments that elucidate detailed protein function and molecular structure. In carrying out this cutting-edge research under the tutelage of a world-leading expert on iron-sulfur protein biogenesis, I will expand my expertise within the multidisciplinary field of biochemistry – in particular my understanding of the roles of metal ions in biology. In the process, I will build a solid foundation for a future research career as a group leader within the European Union.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/659325
Start date: 15-06-2015
End date: 14-06-2017
Total budget - Public funding: 159 460,80 Euro - 159 460,00 Euro
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Original description

Iron-sulfur [Fe-S] clusters play a vital role in numerous cellular functions. They are a sine qua non for cellular energy production and maintenance of genomic stability. Therefore, elucidation of the biogenesis of [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-4S] proteins is of utmost importance for basic science in its broadest sense, as it is for ongoing efforts to establish their relevance to human disease and their utilization for biotechnological production of fine chemicals in microorganisms. The iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) assembly process is responsible for incorporating the inorganic cluster into [Fe-S]-associated proteins in the mitochondria. Cytosolic and nuclear [Fe-S] protein assembly that dictates cellular iron concentrations and DNA integrity outside of the mitochondria also depends on the function of the ISC machinery. The mitochondrial ISC biogenesis machinery entails at least 17 proteins, yet how the proteins for [4Fe-4S] maturation work in a unified manner to produce the active cluster and transfer it to target proteins remains poorly understood. FourFeFourS intends to discover the underlying mechanisms of [4Fe-4S] biogenesis in the mitochondria, which could shed new light into how dysfunction of the proteins involved may lead to fatal diseases. To this end, studies will combine a biochemical reconstitution assay of the biological process utilizing isolated ISC proteins in conjunction with spectroscopic and spectrometric experiments that elucidate detailed protein function and molecular structure. In carrying out this cutting-edge research under the tutelage of a world-leading expert on iron-sulfur protein biogenesis, I will expand my expertise within the multidisciplinary field of biochemistry – in particular my understanding of the roles of metal ions in biology. In the process, I will build a solid foundation for a future research career as a group leader within the European Union.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2014-EF

Update Date

28-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
MSCA-IF-2014-EF Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)