The targeted degradation of proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome systems (UPS) plays a central role in a large number of different cellular pathways. This includes the cell cycle, cell division, apoptosis, transcription activation, receptor-dependent signal-transduction as well as developmental processes during embryogenesis. In addition, the UPS eliminates misfolded proteins which may be harmful for the cell by rapid degradation. The central regulatory role of proteolysis for cellular regulatory processes however also implies that dysfunctions of the proteolytic system of an organism may have pathological consequences. Examples for this are neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, persistent infections, chronicle inflammation and the development of tumors.
Our group works on different aspects of the UPS at the molecular and biochemical level with a particular focus on structure-function-relationships of the UPS in pathological and non-pathological situations.