Protein Trafficking

In order for the cell to function properly (maintain a healthy state/homeostatis) the synthesized proteins are localized to their appropriate subcellular location where they can carry out their function.
The synthesized proteins are transported to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus. TGN then sorts the protein and delivers them to their appropriate destinations. TGN receives proteins not only from Golgi but also from endosome (retrograde protein trafficking). The recycling of the receptor protein from the endosome to the TGN is regulated by a multisubunit complex, called the retromer complex.
By the combined use of X-ray protein crystallography and other biophysical methods, we aim to understand the molecular mechanisms of endosomal retrograde protein trafficking.