The latest paper from the Musacchio lab (A02), published in Science, sheds light on how the Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) coordinates ...

The latest paper from the Musacchio lab (A02), published in Science, sheds light on how the Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) coordinates the regeneration of the centromeres and the associated protein complex at the end of mitosis. This process is essential for the attachment of mitotic spindle microtubules to chromosomal centromeres and, therefore for the precise separation of chromosomes during cell division. By interacting with numerous proteins, PLK1 first induces phosphorylation of centromere-associated proteins and subsequently binds to the centromere itself. They revealed, that this binding leads to conformational changes that result in the recruitment of the histone H3-like centromeric protein A (CENP-A) and its chaperone Holliday junction recognition protein (HJURP).

The Meyer Lab has published a new paper in PNAS. Dephosphorylation of diverse cellular targets is catalyzed by Protein phosphatase-1. ...

The Meyer Lab has published a new paper in PNAS. Dephosphorylation of diverse cellular targets is catalyzed by Protein phosphatase-1. Its catalytic subunit (PP1) therefore joins diverse targeting subunits to form holophosphatases. During holophosphatase biogenesis newly synthesized PP1 is trapped in an inhibitory complex with Suppressor-of-Dis2-number-2 (SDS22) and Inhibitor-3 (I3). This inhibitory SDS22-PP1-I3 complex is then disassembled by the ATPases Associated with diverse cellular Activities plus (AAA+) protein p97. Using Förster Resonance energy transfer (FRET) analysis of labeled proteins they show, that this mechanism extends to mature PP1 and that cycles of SDS22-PP1-I3 formation and p97-driven disassembly regulate dynamic exchange of PP1 to match holophosphatase composition to changing physiological conditions.

Nature Communications has published a new paper by Martin P. Schwalm from the Knapp lab (B03). They have created a novel open ...

Nature Communications has published a new paper by Martin P. Schwalm from the Knapp lab (B03). They have created a novel open access database, dubbed tracerDB, to provide the research community with a knowledge base and a unified system for tracer and assay validation. This curated database contains detailed information on key reagents and associated data. Hence, the database facilitates the investigation of ligand-protein complexes, which in turn is essential in the area of chemical biology and drug discovery. The database can be accessed freely at https://www.tracerdb.org/

In the latest volume of Current Biology, a paper from Stefan Westermann (A1) and his group in collaboration with Andrea Musacchio ...

In the latest volume of Current Biology, a paper from Stefan Westermann (A1) and his group in collaboration with Andrea Musacchio (A2), Markus Kaiser (B1), and Farnusch Kaschani (Z3) was released. During cell division the genetic blueprint of an organism is distributed equally between two daughter cells. Eukaryotic cells have evolved a powerful control mechanism which ensures that cell division only proceeds when chromosomes have achieved error-free attachments to the mitotic spindle. The study sheds light on the long lasting question how cells coordinate the metaphase-anaphase transition with correct spindle attachments. Pleuger et al. define a binding interface of the regulatory kinase Mps1 at the kinetochore, anchor for spindle attachments at the chromosomes as well as signaling hub for mitotic progression. They proceed by showing that the maturation of correct end-on attachments results in the displacement of Mps1 from kinetochores and identify the molecular features of the outer kinetochore leading to the regulation.

The latest paper by Pinki Gahlot from the Meyer lab (A03), published in Molecular Cell, reveals how human cells detect and ...

The latest paper by Pinki Gahlot from the Meyer lab (A03), published in Molecular Cell, reveals how human cells detect and respond to lipid bilayer disruptions in compromised lysosomes, leading to lysophagy via ubiquitin-triggered pathways instead of membrane repair. SPG20, binding to the repair factor IST1, detects damage-associated lipid-packing defects before membrane rupture. These extensive defects lead SPG20 to recruit and activate ITCH, initiating lysophagy to eliminate the damaged lysosome. These findings underscore the importance of coordinated lysosomal damage responses for maintaining cellular homeostasis.

Two new papers on cell migration were published by Prof. Dr. Perihan Nalbant (MB) in cooperation with Dr. Leif Dehmelt (Chemistry ...

Two new papers on cell migration were published by Prof. Dr. Perihan Nalbant (MB) in cooperation with Dr. Leif Dehmelt (Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund). For efficient cell migration dynamic cell shape changes need to be coordinated. Most cell types form protrusions in the front and a retracting tail. In these two papers the groups used TIRF microscopy and translocation sensors to measure Rho GTPase activity which play a key role in the spatio-temporal coordination of the relevant cytoskeletal dynamics.

The latest paper by Annette Paschen (A13) and her group was recently published in the Journal of Clinical Cancer Research. ...

The latest paper by Annette Paschen (A13) and her group was recently published in the Journal of Clinical Cancer Research. Their research establishes a connection between melanoma resistance and CD4 T cells, IFN?, and ICB, all at the HLA-II level. This underscores the importance of tumor cell-intrinsic HLA-II antigen presentation in controlling the disease and emphasizes the need for strategies to counteract its downregulation, aiming for better patient outcomes.

There is a new paper published in Cell Chemical Biology, featuring the cover. Martin Schwalm from the Knapp lab (B03) and ...

There is a new paper published in Cell Chemical Biology, featuring the cover. Martin Schwalm from the Knapp lab (B03) and his colleagues have developed a cell-based assays to measure PROTAC (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras) -induced degradation and ternary complex formation kinetics and stability in cells. These assays offer a strategy for the rational optimization of PROTACs in early degradation cascades.

In the newest volume of the Nature Cancer Journal, there is a new paper by Alexander Rösch (A11) and his group. Their paper ...

In the newest volume of the Nature Cancer Journal, there is a new paper by Alexander Rösch (A11) and his group. Their paper highlights the significance of interleukin (IL)-17A in BRAFV600-mutated melanomas. The study reveals elevated IL-17A levels in melanoma patients' blood, particularly in those responding well to dual immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) treatment. This indicates IL-17A's potential as a future biomarker for patient stratification. Dual ICI therapy, combining anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA-4 treatments, is found to benefit patients with higher IL-17A levels, boosting the body's tumor defense mechanism

In the newest volume of the European Journal of Organic Chemistry Journal, there is a new paper by Markus Kaiser (B01) and ...

In the newest volume of the European Journal of Organic Chemistry Journal, there is a new paper by Markus Kaiser (B01) and his group.This work introduces a catalyst-free, multicomponent method for oxazolidinone synthesis. By ingeniously combining primary aliphatic/aromatic amines with dibromoethane and using cesium carbonate/hydrogencarbonate as base and C1 source, the study enables streamlined late-stage functionalization of amino groups into N-substituted oxazolidinones. Notably, the versatility of this approach shines through in the synthesis of an oxazolidinone-modified dipeptidyl peptidase 8 (DPP8) inhibitor, showcasing its potential in medicinal chemistry.

A new paper is out, published in the Journal of Proteome Research with a cover image featured in the current issue. It introduces ...

A new paper is out, published in the Journal of Proteome Research with a cover image featured in the current issue. It introduces PPI-Affinity, a web tool developed by scientists of the groups of Elsa Sánchez García and Michael Ehrmann. The web server scores protein–protein and protein–peptide complexes based on their predicted binding affinity and also optimizes the affinity of a complex by mutating and screening selected residues. PPI-Affinity can be employed at early steps of drug design processes and thus support the design of new therapeutics significantly. PPI-Affinity is freely accessible at https://protdcal.zmb.uni-due.de/PPIAffinity.

Trillions of cells in our bodies constantly work to keep us alive, producing waste that is broken down in specialized cellular ...

Trillions of cells in our bodies constantly work to keep us alive, producing waste that is broken down in specialized cellular compartments. But what happens when these cellular 'trash cans' fail? Scientists suspect that such malfunctions are linked to numerous diseases. The team led by Prof. Hemmo Meyer (A03), in collaboration with researchers from Munich, has now demonstrated how cells defend themselves against defective waste disposal systems.

Congratulations! A. Roesch and colleagues were able to find a new active substance to make persisting cancer cells vulnerable ...

Congratulations! A. Roesch and colleagues were able to find a new active substance to make persisting cancer cells vulnerable to drug treatment. The interdisciplinary effort involved members from four of our CRC 1430 projects. The work of postdoc H. Chauvisté was recently published in Nature Communications.

In our bodies several hundred billions of cells divide each day to replenish tissues and maintain important functions of our ...

In our bodies several hundred billions of cells divide each day to replenish tissues and maintain important functions of our organism. The proliferation of cells requires that their genetic blueprint, packaged in the form of chromosomes, is precisely copied and distributed between the daughter cells during each cell division.