Projekt

Understanding reaction control in integrated megasynthase assembly lines is a multi-scale problem extending from understanding structural details of the individual catalytic centres (i.e. KR and KS domains), via understanding the structure of individual synthase complexes (i.e. the barrel structure of FAS), to finally describing how multiple synthases (i.e FAS and PKS) integrate to form assembly lines. Within the project the NorS complex as a paradigm for integrated megasynthases will be analysed. The complex will directly be purified from Aspergillus and/or from recombinant sources (co-expression in E. coli). Subsequently, the catalytic activity of the purified complex is monitored using functional assays and biophysical methods. Finally, single particle cryo-EM and molecular modelling is conducted to describe the structure of NorS. The ultimate aim is to provide insight into catalytic processes of fatty acid synthesis and polyketide synthesis, and to use the NorS scaffold for the construction of artificial assembly lines.

• Dr. Martin Grininger

  Universität Frankfurt am Main
  Institut für Organische Chemie und Chemische
  Biologie
  Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences
  Frankfurt am Main
  

• Dr. Sean Connell

  Center for Cooperative Research
  in Biosciences (CICbiomaGUNE)
  Structural Biology Unit
  Laboratory 6
  Derio
  Spanien