Professor Youngsoo Jun's research team discovers new pathway and structure for cellular movement
□ Professor Youngsoo Jun of the Cell Logistics Research Center at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST • President Seung Hyeon Moon) and Professor Changwook Lee of the Ulsan Institute of Science and Technology have identified new pathways and mechanisms for material exchange in eukaryotic cells *.
* Eukaryotic cell: a cell in which the nucleus and the cytoplasm are separated by a nuclear membrane
Cells are made up of small organelles, such as mitochondria, nuclei, vesicles, and lysosomes. Until now, it has been known that when proteins such as proteins migrate between these organelles, they are transported in follicular vesicles. The research team first presented the three-dimensional structure of the pathway of material exchange without the vesicles through the interaction of the membrane contact points, which directly connect the nucleus and the lysosome, and the representative organelles of the cell.
* Mitochondria: organelles that produce energy through cellular respiration in eukaryotic cells
* Nucleus: a spherical body in the center of eukaryotic cells that contains genetic material (DNA)
* Endoplasmic reticulum: a flat membrane-like organelle composed of a single membrane in the cytoplasm
* Membrane Contact Point: a cell organelle surrounded by a cell membrane structure that is physically contacted with other organelles that are adjacent to the cell membrane through proteins connected to the membrane, maintaining a distance of 10-30 nanometers
* Lysosomes: small organelles responsible for intracellular digestion
□ Professor Youngsoo Jun said, "This research was the first to describe the structure and mechanism of protein complexes that form the intercellular contact points of eukaryotic cells that constitute higher organisms, such as humans. We will be able to provide a new theoretical basis for the development of disease treatments caused by defects in intracellular movement. "
