B07 | Ultra-structure of the plasma membrane harbouring MLKL oligomers and MLKL-mediated Ca2+ influx during plant and animal immunogenic cell death
Dr. Takaki Maekawa
The Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne
Contact: takaki.maekawauni-koeln.de
For more information visit: Maekawa lab
Prof. Dr. Ana J. Garcia-Saéz
Department of Membrane Dynamics, Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysics Frankfurt am Main
Contact: ana.garciabiophys.mpg.de
For more information see: Garcia-Saez lab
Abstract
The discovery of a new protein family in seed plants that is structurally and functionally homologous to animal Mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) protein, the executioner of necroptosis in animal cells, provided evidence that similar mechanisms may induce plasma membrane permeabilisation in plants and animals. This project aims to understand the molecular principles of MLKL-mediated cell death and immunity by determining and comparing the nanoscale organisation and cellular dynamics of this protein family in plant and animal cells.
Recent Publications
2025
King LE, Faber L, García-Sáez AJ. Activator of apoptosis harakiri (HRK) localisation at mitochondria alters mitochondrial morphology independently of other BCL-2 proteins. FEBS J. 2025 Sep 12. doi: 10.1111/febs.70255. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40938785.
Wang J, Sun X, Xiong F, Lapin D, Lee T, Martin-Ramirez S, Prakken A, Shen Q, Bautor J, Maekawa T, Parker JE. Coordinated actions of NLR-assembled and glutamate receptor-like calcium channels in plant effector-triggered immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Sep 2;122(35):e2508018122. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2508018122. Epub 2025 Aug 22. PMID: 40844808.
