Intranet Čeština

Membrane Transport

Membrane Transport Sodium and potassium transporting protein observed in yeast cells through a fluorescence microscope. Green fluorescence corresponds to the protein localized in the cell plasma membrane; red fluorescence visualizes membranes of vacuoles.

We study the proteins transporting compounds and signals across the cell membranes. These proteins, called transporters, assure the uptake of nutrients into the cells, efflux of waste compounds from cells and communication with the environment.  To study the animal and plant transporters, we mainly use a model eukaryotic microorganism – yeasts. Our research is focused mainly on:

  • Structure, function and regulation of cell transport systems at protein molecule level.
  • Role of transporters in specific cell properties and in diseases.
  • Role of transporters in Candida virulence and pathogenicity.
  • Development of new techniques to estimate cell physiological parameters.

Projects

Cell cation and pH homeostasis

The intracellular concentration of potassium and sodium cations, as well as of protons, is strictly regulated via the activity of a series of membrane proteins that mediate the flux of cations and protons with various transport mechanisms. Incorrect functioning of some transporters results in serious disorders and diseases. We study in detail the roles of individual transporters and the impact of their activity on cell fitness. More

Transporters of pathogenic yeasts as targets for new antifungal drugs

Some of the transporters existing in the membranes of pathogenic Candida species differ by its structure and activity from those of the host organism. These transporters thus may serve as targets for the development of new antifungal drugs that will affect yeast cells but not cells of the host. More

Transporters reflected in specific properties of nonconventional yeasts

Some yeast species survive extreme changes in the environmental pH, temperature or osmotic pressure. We aim to identify and characterize specific transporters whose activity contributes to the ability to survive adverse environmental conditions. Acquired knowledge will help to improve the properties of yeast species used in industrial processes. More

Achievements

The best poster award for Klara Richerova

Klara Richterova is the author of award-winning poster at 6th Czech-Swiss symposium BioTech 2014. The work with name „Heterologous expression of three laccases from different source of origin in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their use for environmental application.“ was born in collaboration with Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR. Congratulation!  More

Publications

Rosas-Santiago, P. - Lagunas-Goméz, D. - Yáñez-Domínguez, C. - Vera-Estrella, R. - Zimmermannová, Olga - Sychrová, Hana - Pantoja, O. Plant and yeast cornichon possess a conserved acidic motif required for correct targeting of plasma membrane cargos . Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-Molecular Cell Research. 2017, roč. 1864, 10, p. 1809-1818 . IF = 4.521 [ASEP] [ doi ]
Papoušková, Klára - Andršová, Markéta - Sychrová, Hana . Lack of cortical endoplasmic reticulum protein Ist2 alters sodium accumulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells . FEMS Yeast Research. 2017, roč. 17, 2, článku fox011 . IF = 3.299 [ASEP] [ doi ]
Kodedová, Marie - Sychrová, Hana . Synthetic antimicrobial peptides of the halictines family disturb the membrane integrity of Candida cells . Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-Biomembranes. 2017, roč. 1859, 10, p. 1851-1858 . IF = 3.498 [ASEP] [ doi ]
Felcmanová, Kristina - Nevečeřalová, Petra - Sychrová, Hana - Zimmermannová, Olga . Yeast Kch1 and Kch2 membrane proteins play a pleiotropic role in membrane potential establishment and monovalent cation homeostasis regulation . FEMS Yeast Research. 2017, roč. 17, 5, článku fox053 . IF = 3.299 [ASEP] [ doi ]
Llopis-Torregrosa, Vincent - Hušeková, Barbora - Sychrová, Hana . Potassium Uptake Mediated by Trk1 Is Crucial for Candida glabrata Growth and Fitness . PLoS ONE. 2016, roč. 11, 4, e0153374 . IF = 2.806 [ASEP] [ doi ]

Article photogallery

Třepačka - inkubátor tekutých kultur Incubator of liquid cultures
V plném pracovním nasazení Busy time
V plném pracovním nasazení Busy time
The entire photogallery

Contacts

Fyziologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i.
Department of Membrane Transport
Vídeňská 1083
14220 Praha 4
tel. +420 241 062 667
fax. +420 241 062 284
 

sychrova@fgu.cas.cz

People

Hana Sychrová, DrSc.
head of the department
Olga Zimmermannová, Ph.D. (née Kinclová)
deputy head of the department

Radka Bardoňová

assistant
Zuzana Antošová, Ph.D. (née Chrastilová)
postdoc
  Marie Kodedová, Ph.D.
postdoc
Klára Papoušková, Ph.D. (née Velková)
postdoc
Michala Dušková, Ph.D. (née Bubnová)
postdoc
Hana Elicharová, Ph.D.
postdoc

Klára Herkommerová (née Richterová)

PhD student

Kristina Netíková (née Felcmanová)

PhD student

Jan Bieber

pregradual student

Anna-Marie Makarova

pregradual student

Michaela Hrášková

pregradual student
Pavla Herynková
lab technician

Denisa Rácová

lab technician

Kateřina Staňková

lab technician

© 2014 INSTITUTE OF PHYSIOLOGY CAS