Deciphering the mechanism of cellular aging: interaction of oxidatively damaged proteins with the cellular membranes
dr. Katarina Trajkovic and dr. Ana-Marija Vuckovic
(Biology of Robustness group, Mediterranean Institute for Life Sciences, Split, Croatia)
14. 12. 2022 – 11:00 – B220
Description: Aging is one of the greatest mysteries in biology and a considerable contemporary societal challenge. Protein carbonylation – a specific form of oxidative damage to proteins – is a widely accepted biomarker of aging, but it is also sufficient to recapitulate molecular and cellular hallmarks of aging. In this project, we explore mechanisms through which oxidatively damaged/carbonylated proteins lead to age-related cellular dysfunction. We hypothesize that protein oligomers and/or aggregates ensuing from age-dependent protein oxidation bind cellular membranes, thus leading to membrane permeabilization.