Fascinating Insights into Platelet Research In the collaborative research centre Transregio 240 (TRR 240), scientists from Würzburg, Tübingen, Greifswald and Dortmund are investigating the complex and as yet little understood functions of thrombocytes (blood platelets). Their aim is to help doctors treat diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, acute lung failure and cancer better in the future. In the video, Dr Yvonne Reinders is showing at the mass spectrometer how ISAS works within the Transregio 240.
In order to gain a deeper insight into the molecular mechanisms of platelets, ISAS contributes modern (phospho-)proteomics approaches, among other things. The researchers use mass spectrometry to investigate the (phospho-)proteome of platelets, meaning the totality of all
W H AT I S P H O S P H O P R OT E O M I C S ?
proteins at a certain point in time. In this way, they gain information about changes in the amount, the interactions
Phosphoproteomics is a branch of proteomics.
and the so-called post-translational modifications of the
Researchers investigate proteins that contain a
proteins. The latter process refers to the chemical modifica-
phosphate group as a post-translational modification.
tions of proteins that have already been formed, meaning
In other words, after complete translation and protein
after complete translation. Many of these post-translational
synthesis, a phosphate group binds to the protein.
modifications control the function of the proteins. The
These processes, also called phosphorylations,
findings obtained at TRR 240 can help to gain a deeper
lead to a structural change of the molecules and
understanding of the physiology of platelets and their
their function. Because they control so many essential
signal transmission.
processes and changes in biological cells, these
(CMP)
proteins are also referred to as molecular switches. With the help of phosphoproteome analyses, researchers can observe the entirety of phosphorylations and their changes.
Funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) – Project number 374031971.
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Proteomics Research Group (formerly named Protein Dynamics) Prof Dr Albert Sickmann T: +49 (0)231 1392-100 E: albert.sickmann@isas.de
I N S I G H T I N TO THE RESEARCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6BWvhbE6M4
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
