Malte Drescher / Daniel Summerer
Investigating structure and dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins by spin-label EPR
Alpha-synuclein with its high propensity to aggregate and its conformational flexibility (“protein-chameleon”) is an ideal model system for intrinsically disordered proteins. In this project, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy methods in combination with genetically encoded spin labels will be applied to study structure and dynamics of alpha-synuclein in cellula. The experiments will give clues how disorder and conformational flexibility contribute to the functional proteome and to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.