Griesinger's Group @ The MPIBPC
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Structural Investigations of Protein-Protein and Protein-Nucleic Acid Complexes The current focus of our group is the structural investigation of proteins involved in signal transduction. Signal transduction begins at the cell surface by the binding of ligands to receptors. This binding then triggers cascades of protein-protein interactions inside the cell, processes that finally end in the cell nucleus by binding of special proteins, so-called transcription factors to regulatory elements of genes, which turn these genes "on" or "off". Therefore, our research projects are concerned with the interaction between peptide ligands and membrane proteins as well as with protein-protein complexes of cell signaling proteins and protein-DNA complexes of DNA binding proteins. Most of these proteins cannot be obtained in large enough quantities for investigation by NMR or crystallization for subsequent X-ray diffraction measurements. Therefore, we produce them in recombinant form with the help of a bacterial expression system. Disturbed signaling in cells is the principal reason for cancer. In the long run, the structural understanding of such proteins may therefore contribute to the development of strategies for fighting such severe diseases.
Last modification Fri Jan 9 14:52:14 2004 |
