© Michael Kuhlmann

Research Topics

Communication between membrane-bound organelles is fundamental to eukaryotic cell function and plays a central role in the coordination and integration of diverse cellular processes. We are interested in how intracellular communication is established and regulated, particularly in the context of cellular adaptation, stress responses and aging. A key mechanism of organelle connectivity is the formation of membrane contact sites, which physically link organelles and enable the exchange of metabolites, lipids and ions, thereby integrating compartmentalized cellular processes. To understand how organelle connectivity contributes to cellular homeostasis, we use yeast as a genetically tractable model system and combine approaches from molecular and cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, and advanced imaging. Within the framework of this Collaborative Research Center, we investigate the molecular basis of direct contacts between lipid droplets, which serve as cellular fat storage organelles, and the plasma membrane. In particular, we explore how these interactions are regulated during dynamic cellular processes such as cell division and cell fusion. Our goal is to identify the molecular components and mechanisms that mediate lipid droplet-plasma membrane communication and to define how this interaction contributes to cellular organization and function.

Selected Publications

  • Álvarez-Guerra, I., Block, E., Broeskamp, F., Gabrijelčič, S., Infant, T,. de Ory, A., Habernig, L,. Andréasson, C., Levine, T.P,. Höög, J.L., Büttner, S. (2024). LDO proteins and Vac8 form a vacuole-lipid droplet contact site required for lipophagy in response to starvation. Developmental Cell 59(6):759-775.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.01.014.
  • Kohler, V., Kohler, A., Berglund, LL., Hao, X., Gersing, S., Imhof, A., Nyström, T., Höög, J.L., Ott, M., Andréasson, C.*, Büttner, S.* (2024). Nuclear Hsp104 safeguards the dormant translation machinery during quiescence. Nature Communications 15(1):315. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-44538-8.
  • Diessl, J., Berndtsson, J., Broeskamp, F., Habernig, L., Kohler, V., Vazquez-Calvo, C., Nandy, A., Peselj, C., Drobysheva, S., Pelosi, L., Vögtle, F.N., Pierrel, F., Ott, M., Büttner, S. (2022). Manganese-driven CoQ deficiency. Nature Communications 13(1):6061. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-33641-x.
  • Habernig, L., Broeskamp, F., Aufschnaiter, A., Diessl, J., Peselj, C., Urbauer, E., Eisenberg, T., de Ory, A., Büttner, S. (2021). Ca2+ administration prevents α-synuclein proteotoxicity by stimulating calcineurin-dependent lysosomal proteolysis. PLoS Genetics 17(11):e1009911. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009911.
  • Tosal-Castano, S., Peselj, C., Kohler, V., Habernig, L., Berglund, L.L., Ebrahimi, M., Vögtle, F.N., Höög, J., Andréasson, C., Büttner, S. (2021). Snd3 controls nucleus-vacuole junctions in response to glucose signaling.  Cell Reports 34(3):108637. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108637