Sec14 Homologues of the Yeast (Ost-West Pr.BfWV GZ. 457/1-III/B)

The aim of the project is to characterize members of a yeast gene family with homology to SEC14 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sec14p has been identified on one hand as a component of the protein secretory machinery, on the other hand as a so-called lipid transfer protein which exhibits the property to specifically translocate a subset of phospho-lipids between donor and acceptor membranes in vitro. In the living yeast cell the SEC14 gene is essential, and the gene product appears to act as a regulator of vesicle flux from the Golgi to the cell periphery. Homologues of Sec14p may have functions of similar importance which escaped detection so far. They may affect lipid metabolism and regulation of lipid turnover in a similar way as has been shown for Sec14p. A strategy employing a combination of cell biological, molecular biological and biochemical methods is employed to unveil the physiological role of the SEC14 gene family. not assigned KP: Dr. Peter Griac