Eva Nedvědová
Phosphoinositide headgroup presentation as determinant for protein recruitment
The recognition of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) lipid by peripheral membrane proteins is pivotal for signal transduction, trafficking as well as cytoskeletal organization. Despite its importance, how the PI(4,5)P2-protein interaction is regulated remains poorly understood. I aim to explore and characterize mechanisms that define PI(4,5)P2 recognition using reconstituted in vitro systems. Among other factors of PI(4,5)P2 environment, we have investigated the effect of divalent ions on PI(4,5)P2 presentation. While Ca2+ and PI(4,5)P2 together orchestrate signalling events, the molecular details of their interaction and consequences for PI(4,5)P2-mediated protein recruitment have not been know. In collaboration with Dr. Paul Cremer group at the Pennsylvania State University, Prof. Ilpo Vattulainen group at the University of Helsinki and Prof. Jungwirth group at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague, we revealed for the first time the dramatic effect that Ca2+ has on PI(4,5)P2 conformation and protein recognition.
Bilkova, E., R. Pleskot, S. Rissanen, S. Sun, A. Czogalla, L. Cwiklik, T. Rog, I. Vattulainen, P. S. Cremer, P. Jungwirth and U. Coskun (2017). "Calcium Directly Regulates Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate Headgroup Conformation and Recognition." J Am Chem Soc.