Mechanisms of centrosome-mediated polarized CTL degranulation
Thursday 22 January 2009
Dr. Peter van der Sluijs / Drs Edo Elstak
Project
CTLs that encounter a target cell undergo a series of precisely orchestrated architectural changes that ultimately lead to release of granule contants at the immune synapse and subsequent killing of target cells. Last year it was shown that the centrosome moves the secretory granules to the immune synapse and docks them on the plasma membrane in a process that appears to be related to the formation of cilia from centrioles. The molecular mechanism that is responsible for centrosome-mediated polarization of the secretory apparatus is not known. We recently identified p50, a novel centrosomal protein in haematopoietic cells and found that it interacts with proteins involved in degranulation. In this project we will define the mechanism how p50 functions in this novel polarization process.
Techniques
Molecular biology methods, biochemistry, fluorescence techniques including live cell imaging and FACS analysis.
Duration
6 or 9 months
Contact
Dr. Peter van der Sluijs, p.vandersluijs@umcutrecht.nl, tel. 088 75 575 78
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