2nd International Meeting 2022

of the DFG research unit FOR2290

'Understanding Intramembrane Proteolysis'

May 4-6, 2022, Munich, Germany

Covid-19 restrictions: 2G (proof of recovery or vaccination is required)

Protein Recognition and Processing in the Membrane

Protein homeostasis is fundamentally important to match the cellular needs and to counteract stress conditions. A fundamental challenge in protein homeostasis is to understand how membrane proteins are specifically recognized and processed in the hydrophobic plane of the lipid bilayer. These are unique events within the membrane environments of biological cells.

Within this context, the main focus of our meeting will be on intramembrane proteases, which are unusual enzymes with key cellular functions ranging from transcriptional control, protein maturation to regulated protein degradation. When these universal processes are deregulated, this can lead to disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The common functional denominator of intramembrane proteases is cleavage within the plane of the membrane, which usually results in peptide bond scission within the transmembrane helices of their substrates. One of the prime questions in the field is how intramembrane proteases distinguish between their substrates and non-substrates. Here, recent progress started to reveal principles of how the conformational flexibility of transmembrane segments is used to sample the transmembrane domain. Strikingly, parallels to other factors ensuring membrane protein homeostasis including non-catalytic intramembrane protease variants emerge. Therefore, the meeting will also address common issues in membrane protein quality control from functional and structural perspectives.

Wednesday, May 4th: Physiology of Regulated Intramembrane Proteolysis

Thursday, May 5th: Mechanisms in Intramembrane Proteolysis

Friday, May 6th: Membrane Protein Quality Control

Preliminary Program

Keynotes

Confirmed Speakers

Venue & Accommodation