13/12/2007

Cell, one of the most reliable international scientific journals, has published some of the research results of the intercontinental collaboration between the research teams of Assistant Professor Charalampos Kalodimos of Rutgers University (New Jersey, USA) and Tasos Economou, Researcher at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (ΙΜΒΒ) of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) and Associate Professor at the Department of Biology of the University of Crete. The subject matter of the research is a fundamental biological problem: how cells direct the movement of their proteins.

One-third of proteins produced in cells must migrate from them or 'anchor' in the cell membrane or be 'supported' in certain sub-cellular compartments, processes which are vital for life. Compromised targeting of migrating proteins (such as insulin, antibodies, etc.) leads to pathological conditions such as the hereditary disease cystic fibrosis and auto-immune illnesses. But how do migrating proteins find their way to their final destinations, and how do they cross cell membranes?

Over 30 years ago, Nobel-prize-winning biologist Gunter Blobel discovered that migrating proteins contain chemical signals called signal peptides which function as postal addresses and also as microscopic handles. Depending on its final destination, each migrating protein carries a different address. In their publication (Cell, 131(4), 16-11-2007), the teams of C. Kalodimos and T. Economou reveal the precise mechanism through which a specific cellular receptor recognises signal peptides. With this special recognition, the receptor can trap the migrating proteins above the surface of the membrane and lead them to their destinations by pushing them through the membrane. In order to obtain these findings, Mr Kalidimos's team developed significant innovative methods of structural biology.

The discovery of this fundamental biological mechanism is expected to help in better understanding and treating illnesses caused by difficulties in protein movement. Additionally, it is expected to contribute towards developing new antibiotics to combat bacteria that cause disease. Finally, it provides the possibility of improving biotechnological production of human protein drugs from microbial cell-factories. Work in these directions and also further investigation into sub-cellular movement of proteins are funded at the ΙΜΒΒ by European and US programmes, the Secretariat General for Research and Technology and private capital.

Source: TRF