"ER sentinels: insights into receptor oligomerization at the core of the unfolded protein response" with Vladislav Belyy, University of California, San Francisco (Online Seminar)

Title: ER sentinels: insights into receptor oligomerization at the core of the unfolded protein response

Speaker: Vladislav Belyy, University of California, San Francisco

Hosted by:  Sergei Sukharev

Abstract: 

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-resident stress sensor IRE1 governs the most evolutionarily conserved branch of the unfolded protein response. Upon sensing an accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER lumen, IRE1 activates its cytoplasmic kinase and ribonuclease domains to initiate a potent signaling cascade. IRE1’s activity appears to correlate with changes in its oligomeric state, yet both the degree of oligomerization and its functional significance remain hotly debated. In my postdoctoral work, I employed several orthogonal experimental approaches ranging from single-particle tracking in live cells to optogenetics in order to pinpoint the central role of oligomerization in IRE1’s signaling mechanism. In addition to uncovering exciting aspects of IRE1 biology, the quantitative biophysical methods that have been developed in the process will be broadly applicable to the study of protein oligomerization as a general principle in intracellular signaling.

Seminars start at 4:00 pm and refreshments served at 3:45 pm. All seminars are held in the Conference Room (1116) of the Institute for Physical Science and Technology (IPST) Building, unless otherwise noted.