In this study, we describe a previously unnoticed and uncharacterized clathrin-independent endocytic mechanism that is controlled by the BAR domain protein endophilin-A3 and galectin-8. This elegant work has been performed by Henri-François, François and Camille in our lab and in collaboration with Institut Curie, Institut de Duve and Umons.

See the full paper published in Nature Communications

A popularized animation is also available here, has been reported in newspapers (in French) and on UCLouvain website

Jiri functionally characterized human TMEM165 by heterologously expressing it in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and in the bacterium Lactococcus lactis. He obtained biochemical evidence that TMEM165 mediates calcium and manganese transport. We also used the yeast and bacterial systems to evaluate the impact of four disease-causing missense mutations identified in individuals with TMEM165-associated CDG.

Stribny et al., 2020, JBC

The gradual acidification of the secretory pathway is very important for all eukaryotic cells.  Antoine Deschamps has developed a pHluorin-based sensor for in vivo measurements in the lumen of the Golgi. This sensor is described in a new paper published in Scientific Reports.

Deschamps et al., 2020

We are very happy to welcome Camille and Alexandra in our team for PhD thesis.

Camille will decipher a new clathrin-independent endocytic pathway in HeLa cells and Alexandra will continue the thorough characterization of GDT1 in yeast. Good luck !

Second thesis of the week… Louise brilliantly presented us her wonderful work on GDT1-mediated manganese transport.

Very nice work in collaboration with Jérôme, beautiful presentation showing the role of Art2 in Thi7 endocytosis and cool publication in PLoS Biology.

Jérôme Savocco, Sylvain Nootens and co-workers used a combination of proteomics, protein modeling, and molecular biology to show how endocytosis of the plasma membrane vitamin B1 transporter Thi7 in yeast is regulated by the α-arrestin Art2.

Full paper

Explanation of the research for non-experts (in French): click here

One year ago, André Goffeau passed away. A special issue dedicated to his memory has been published in April 2019.

Louise Thines and coworkers have shown that Gdt1 is able to transport manganese (as well as calcium) when expressed in Lactococcus lactis. These findings have now been published in JBC.

2018_Thines_JBC