Line Marie Christiansen has during her PhD studies researched the enigmatic P4B-ATPase subgroup of the P4-ATPase, often called lipid flippases. Lipid flippases are responsible for translocation of lipids towards the cytosolic membrane leaflet, which is crutial for correct cellular function, signalling and apoptosis. However, the P4B subgroup are distinct and their status as flippases has remained putative. The group include S. cerevisiae Neo1p and mammalian ATP9A, whereof dysfunction of the latter lead to severe developmental neuronal phenotypes.

Line Marie Christiansen has utilized Neo1p as a model protein and employed a combined approach of functional studies and structural studies by Cryo Electron Microscopy in the search of determining both substrate, structure and lastly the function of Neo1p and whether it functions as a lipid flippase or instead has another conserved essential function.

The obtained results contributes to an international discussion on the function of P4B-ATPases with several high-resolution structures and a broad screen of likely substrates and potential regulatory mechanisms.

Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday 14 October at 13
Place: Building 1871, room 120, MBG Auditorium, Molecylar Biology & Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8200 Aarhus N
Title of PhD thesis: The Trinity of Neo1p: structure, substrate and function

Contact information: Line Marie Christiansen, e-mail: lmc@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 21640804

Members of the assessment committee:

Professor Inga Hänelt, Institut für Biochemie, Goethe Universität, Frankfurt,Germany

Professor Michael B. Palmgren, Institut for Plante- og Miljøvidenskab, København Universitet, København, Danmark

Lektor Pia Møller Martensen (Chair), Institut for Molekylærbiologi & Genetik, Aarhus Universitet, Danmark

Main supervisor
Professor Poul Nissen, Institut for Molekylærbiologi & Genetik, Aarhus Universitet, Danmark

Co-supervisor
Adjunkt Joseph A. Lyons,  Institut for Molekylærbiologi & Genetik, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center - INANO, Aarhus Universitet, Danmark

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS,

Jens Baggesens Vej 53, building 5221, 8200 Aarhus N.