B05 Itzen: Structural dynamics of small GTPases under the influence of posttranslational modifications

PTMs diversify functions of proteins, but also induce conformational changes as means to regulate activity. Project B05 uses enzymatic approaches to generate post-translationally modified proteins such as the heat shock protein BiP. We will combine biochemistry, structural biology, NMR, single molecule FRET, MD-simulations, genetic code expansion, cell biology to analyse the consequences of AMPylation. In addition, we will examine how the activity of the human AMP-transferase HYPE is regulated by changes in enzyme conformation. The project will establish how PTMs on one site are communicated to distant protein regions.