Unravelling the function of integrins in the unicellular relatives of Metazoa
The integrins are a superfamily of the major cell adhesion receptors that bind primarily to extracellular matrix ligands, typically short peptide motifs such as arginine-glycine-aspartate – RGD, but can also bind to cell-surface l...
ver más
¿Tienes un proyecto y buscas un partner? Gracias a nuestro motor inteligente podemos recomendarte los mejores socios y ponerte en contacto con ellos. Te lo explicamos en este video
Proyectos interesantes
MECPATH
Mechanical pathways in cells from molecular mechanisms to c...
100K€
Cerrado
PoInt
Principles of Integrin Mechanics and Adhesion
7M€
Cerrado
ZYXIN
A Structure Function Approach to Understanding the Role of Z...
231K€
Cerrado
SIGNAL2THEHUB
Integrin signalling from the tail and the hub
2M€
Cerrado
PID2019-105169RB-I00
FUNCION DE P73 EN EL ADHESOMA CELULAR: IMPLICACIONES EN MORF...
230K€
Cerrado
FA x Force
Reconstitution and Structural Analysis of a Minimal Mechanos...
159K€
Cerrado
Fecha límite de participación
Sin fecha límite de participación.
Descripción del proyecto
The integrins are a superfamily of the major cell adhesion receptors that bind primarily to extracellular matrix ligands, typically short peptide motifs such as arginine-glycine-aspartate – RGD, but can also bind to cell-surface ligands and soluble ligands. Integrin heterodimers bind and interact with several other proteins forming the integrin-mediated adhesion and two-way signalling complex. This complex consists of alpha-actinin and talin which bind to the cytoplasmic C-terminal tail of the integrin and paxillin and vinculin which bind to talin and alphaactinin. Moreover, the IPP complex composed of ILK, PINCH (particularly interesting Cys-His-rich protein) and parvin acts as a connection between integrins and the actin cytoskeleton.
Until very recently integrin-mediated adhesion and signalling machinery was thought to be specific to Metazoa (animals) as they had not been identified in any other group and as their mmost important function – binding to the proteins of the extracellular matrix – is only possible in the metazoans.
Recently, integrins and other components of the integrin-mediated adhesion and signalling machinery have been identified in unicellular organisms; such as in the filasterean Capsaspora owczarzaki, a close relative of metazoans and choanoflagellates. However, nothing is known about the function of integrins in the unicellular context.
The aim of this project is to investigate the function of integrins and other components of the integrin-mediated adhesion and signalling machinery in the unicellular metazoan relatives. The results will enable us to understand 1) the ancestral function of integrins and 2) how the functions changed during the transition to multicellular metazoans.
These findings will significantly improve the general understanding of the mechanisms and principles of functional adaptations, diversifications and co-options of genes through evolution.