SFB 1348 Seminar | Jesper Nylandsted

Healing from Within: Navigating Cellular Homeostasis Through Membrane Repair Mechanisms

Host: Volker Gerke

The plasma membrane in eukaryotic cells serves as a crucial boundary to the extracellular environment. Thus, injuries to this membrane pose a serious threat to cell survival, prompting the activation of repair mechanisms. The balance between physiological function and pathology hinges on the integrity of the plasma membrane. For instance, an excessive repair response can facilitate cancer invasion, while inadequate repair mechanisms are associated with neurodegeneration and muscular dystrophies. Despite its importance, the molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying membrane repair remain poorly understood. Annexins, a family of Ca2+-triggered proteins, play key roles in the plasma membrane repair process. Our recent interdisciplinary research suggests that annexins not only facilitate membrane fusion but also contribute to membrane shaping, enabling rapid resealing through bending, constriction, and fusion of damaged membrane edges. Additionally, we find that annexin proteins are involved in various steps of membrane repair to cope with different membrane compartment injuries including plasma membrane, lysosomes, and nuclear envelope. This presentation will explore novel insights into plasma membrane repair and regeneration involving annexins.

Detailed information