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Colloquium with Pitter Hüsgen (University of Freiburg)
On 27 January 2026, Pitter Hüsgen (University of Freiburg) will present insights to his current research as part of the SNP2Prot Colloquium Series.
Speaker: Pitter Hüsgen (University of Freiburg)
Title: Single-amino-acid cleavages determine mitochondrial complex integrity
Date: Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Time: 12:30 pm
Location: Lecture hall (GHS) of Biochemistry, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3 (Weinberg Campus), 06120 Halle (Saale)
Abstract: The majority of mitochondrial proteins is nuclear encoded and carry N-terminal presequences as targeting signals that are cleaved by the Mitochondrial Presequence Protease upon import. A subset of these proteins is further processed by the aminopeptidase Intermediate Cleaving Peptidase 55, which in yeast removes a single N-terminal Phe, Leu or Tyr residue that otherwise act as degradation signal. The machinery for proteolytic maturation of mitochondrial preproteins is highly conserved and mutations in the human proteins are linked to severe diseases. However, the reason why specific substrates retain destabilizing N-degrons, what the molecular consequences are upon loss of Icp55, and to which degree cleavage events and substrates are conserved in evolution is not known.
In my talk I will show that mass spectrometry-based proteome and N-terminome profiling allowed us to identify over one hundred ICP55 substrates in human cells. Most of these are part of protein assemblies that are generally destabilized, resulting in impaired function. I will further present ongoing comparative N-terminome analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans and Arabidopsis thaliana indicating that at least some substrates are conserved in evolution. Taken together, our data reveal N-terminal proteoform control as an unexpected, conserved layer of organellar homeostasis.
If you like to meet with the speaker, please contact the host, Christin Naumann (IPB).
See all upcoming SNP2Prot colloquia listed here: https://snp2prot.uni-halle.de/events/category/colloquium/
The SNP2Prot Colloquium Series is integrated to the
- Halle Plant Science Colloquium (HPSC) – https://www.landw.uni-halle.de/prof/pflanzenernaehrung/hpsc/
- IPB Seminar Series – https://www.ipb-halle.de/forschung/symposien-und-kolloquien/vortraege/ipb-seminare