A13: Optogenetic membrane manipulation of protein targeting to mitochondria and plastids
Our data demonstrate that some proteins targeted to the plastid under aerobic conditions in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, are dual-targeted to mitochondrion and plastid under anaerobic conditions (and loss of mitochondrial ∆ψ). We plan to generate optogenetically controllable organelles, both in terms of membrane-integrated opsins to manipulate ∆ψ, as well as modulating membrane-bound receptor platforms and phosphatases through optogenetic switches. Our work will (i) shed new light on the interplay of targeting sequences and ∆ψ- and receptor-mediated membrane identity that secures correct targeting, and (ii) implement new optogenetic tools for understanding and controlling cellular processes in C. reinhardtii.
Mitochondria are observed to alter their import behaviour depending on a change of ∆ψ at their inner membrane. Charges in the NTS of preproteins and the ability of dual targeting to plastids and mitochondria plays into this phenomenon. We will investigate natural occurrences and dynamically manipulate both NTS and ∆ψ of membranes.
Project leaders:
PD Sven B. Gould, Institut of Molecular Evolution and
Prof. Matias Zurbriggen, Institute of Synthetic Biology
Researchers:
Odette Deen-Rozalen, email
Parth K. Raval, email