INSTITUTE OF PHYSIOLOGY CAS

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 (pH), 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

Special techniques to estimate cell physiological parameters

Transporters of pathogenic yeasts and lipid composition of their membranes as targets for new antifungal drugs

We use various methods, e.g. estimation of the membrane potential to study the impact of the membrane lipid composition on the sensitivity of yeast cells to antifungal drugs (Kodedová and Sychrová, 2015; Kodedová et al., 2019; Csáky et al., 2020) by determination of changes in plasma-membrane potential and other methods. More

Transporters reflected in specific properties of nonconventional yeasts

Some, so-called non-conventional, 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. The acquired knowledge will help to improve the properties of yeast species used in industrial processes. More

Achievements

Participation in project "Otevřená věda"

Our laboratory is already for many years involved in project Otevřená věda organised by Czech Academy of Sciences. The mission of this successful project is to lure enthusiastic students from secondary schools and show them how amusing the science can be. More

The current knowledge about membrane transport in yeast is summarized in a new book.

Fruitful Czech - Belgian collaboration with group of Dr. Pierra Morsomm from Université catholique de Louvain.

We look for antifungal drugs as a part of a European consortium

Publications

Papoušková; Klára - Gómez; M. - Kodedová; Marie - Ramos; J. - Zimmermannová; Olga - Sychrová; Hana . Heterologous expression reveals unique properties of Trk K+ importers from nonconventional biotechnologically relevant yeast species together with their potential to support Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth . Yeast. 2023; 40(2); 68-83 . IF = 2.6 [ASEP] [ doi ]

Masaryk; Jakub - Kale; Deepika - Pohl; Pavel - Ruiz-Castilla; F. J. - Zimmermannová; Olga - Obšilová; Veronika - Ramos; J. - Sychrová; Hana . The second intracellular loop of the yeast Trk1 potassium transporter is involved in regulation of activity; and interaction with 14–3-3 proteins . Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal. 2023; 21(April); 2705-2716 . IF = 6.0 [ASEP] [ doi ]

Kodedová; Marie - Liška; V. - Mosinger; J. - Sychrová; Hana . Light-induced antifungal activity of nanoparticles with an encapsulated porphyrin photosensitizer . Microbiological Research. 2023; 269(April)); 127303 . IF = 6.7 [ASEP] [ doi ]

Velázquez; Diego - Průša; Vojtěch - Masrati; G. - Yariv; E. - Sychrová; Hana - Ben-Tal; N. - Zimmermannová; Olga . Allosteric links between the hydrophilic N-terminus and transmembrane core of human Na+/H+ antiporter NHA2 . Protein Science. 2022; 31(12)); e4460 . IF = 8.0 [ASEP] [ doi ]

Masaryk; Jakub - Sychrová; Hana . Yeast Trk1 Potassium Transporter Gradually Changes Its Affinity in Response to Both External and Internal Signals . Journal of Fungi. 2022; 8(5)); 432 . IF = 4.7 [ASEP] [ doi ]

	Hana Sychrová, DrSc. Head of the Laboratory
	Olga Zimmermannová, Ph.D. (née Kinclová) Deputy Head of the Laboratory
	Marie Kodedová, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow
	Klára Papoušková, Ph.D. (née Velková) Postdoctoral Fellow
	Michala Dušková, Ph.D. (née Bubnová) Postdoctoral Fellow
	Bc. Kristina Knopfová pregraduální student
	Viktorie Stojková Undergraduate Student
	Viktorie Radová Undergraduate Student
	Karolína Černá Undergraduate Student
	Pavla Herynková Technician

Laboratory of Membrane Transport