Coordination and interaction of the STRIPAK complex during sexual differentiation

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Living organisms are complex systems that have the constant capacity to response to alternating signals. As a consequence, organisms will undergo major morphological and physiological changes that can be recognized for example at the molecular level by the dynamics of protein complexes. This project focusses on components of high molecular weight complexes that are shared between different signaling pathways and thus talk to each other through so far unknown mechanisms. A key finding of the previous funding period is the discovery of the STRIPAK protein complex, controlling sexual development in the model fungus Sordaria macrospora. This ascomycete provides the opportunity to study distinct subunits of the STRIPAK complex, using molecular, genetic, biochemical and/or cell biological approaches. One subunit of STRIPAK is PRO45, a membrane associated subunit, showing significant homology to the human Sarcolemmal membrane-associated protein (SLMAP), which is believed to serve as physical and signaling connection between the Golgi and centrosomes and is important for spindle assembly. Other components of the STRIPAK complex are three subunits of protein phosphatase PP2A, and we will investigate the modulatory function of catalytic subunit PP2Ac1. Besides that we are interested, how the STRIPAK complex interacts with other complexes, involved in cell signaling. Selected Proteins are EPS12 and NDK1, which most probably cross-talk with other signaling cascades and thus allow the adaptation in response to varying signals. The STRIPAK complex is highly conserved within eukaryotes and therefore results obtained with the fungal experimental system will be of general relevance for other eukaryotic systems.