INPROTEOLYS
Intracellular proteolysis network
INTRODUCTION
INTRACELLULAR PROTEOLYSIS
Cellular processes such as cell cycle and apoptosis, are very dynamic events. To happen, many cell factors most change their activity during these processes using multiple strategies including post-translational modifications, association with multiple partners, changes in sub-cellular localisation and variations in protein synthesis and degradation. Among all the different strategies to control protein activity, probably the most drastic one is protein degradation, because it inactivates all protein functions. In eukaryotes cells, two of the most important proteolytical activities are driven by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and the lysosome.
THE UBIQUITIN-PROTEASOME PATHWAY
The covalent conjugation of proteins with molecules of the ubiquitin family has become one of the most widely investigated regulatory post-translational modifications of proteins controlling a wide array of essential processes such as cell cycle control, stress response, DNA repair, signalling, transcription and gene silencing. Ubiquitin can be attached to proteins as a monomer or in polymers using several internal lysines resulting in a chain-type dependent diversity of functions. In addition to ubiquitin, a family of Ubiquitin-like molecules such as SUMO-1, SUMO-2 SUMO-3 and NEDD8 appear to participate in the control of the dynamic equilibrium regulating the activity of many critical cellular factors.
INPROTEOLYS
(AIMS)
During 2005 and having INtracellular PROTEOLYSis as a common interest, a group of scientist started a network initially called RECIPIE (stands for Spanish words: network for exchanges and collaborative studies on intracellular proteolysis). One of the main goals of this network is bringing together people with different expertises aiming to share their “know how”, reagents and tools under collaborative bases.
We realise that most of our material and intellectual items, which often become too passive as they accumulate in our labs, could be much more productive being part of a web of exchange or collaboration. In between the 20 initial groups of the network we have established bi or multilateral collaborative exchanges and applied for various national or European grants. In this way we are trying to build interactions outside national frontiers contributing to what we consider our European Scientific space. This has been a very rich and interesting experience that we would like to open to other European colleagues.
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Meeting Report
The 4th Intracellular Proteolysis Meeting
Ubiquitin-Proteasome System, Dynamics and Targeting
a Biochemical Society focused meeting
Barcelona,Spain 27-29 of May 2009.
When a historical place, a multicultural city, nice food and weather, and excellent science are brought together, a meeting can only have a tremendous success. Indeed, the 4th INPROTEOLYS meeting held in Barcelona had the magnificent scenario of the Casa de la Convalescència de Sant Pau (Convalescent Home of Saint Paul) which is the Headquarters of the Institute for Catalan Studies. I have to take some time to talk about this XVII century building initially planned for religious purposes and ended being part of a hospital. The austerity of the classical architecture only makes few concessions to the baroque and to the plastic arts of the XVII/XVIII centuries such as sculptures, painting, ceramics and tile work. Surrounded by this artistic/historic atmosphere the "Sala Prat de la Riba" offered a tailored scenario decorated with mural paintings and old tapestries for our oral sessions. Not less impressive was the cloister with the double cornice of Tuscan origin, arcades and pilasters, gargoyles, and ceramic panels of the galleries that were used for the poster sessions. As many other of the city's noble buildings from this period, the patio of orange trees is a beautiful hanging garden that we used for our coffee breaks and discussions. But like in many of the excellent restaurants of the "Ciutat Comtal", decoration and atmosphere is important but would have been disappointing without a good menu. Fortunately, we had a promising program from the outset, beginning with Dan Finley and Alfred Goldberg, followed by Ron Hay, Frauke Melchior, and Stefan Jentsch for the first day. Our main course was also excellent and included Wade Harper, Michael Rape, Michele Pagano, Dan Durocher, and Jiri Bartek. To finish with a nice sweet taste in our mouth, we had Sara Sigismund, Huib Ovaa, and Ivan Dikic. The whole meal was accompanied by the nice wine of the discussions provided by many highly motivated young scientist attending this meeting, coming form many different countries and specialities related to protein degradation. This meeting, which involved 157 registered delegates, 47 oral presentations and 3 poster sessions reflected the current research interests in the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System, SUMO-regulated processes, Ubiquitin and Cell cycle, DNA-damage repair, Drug discovery and Ubiquitin and UBL role in intracellular traffic, all of which were integrated into the sessions of this meeting. Among the most interesting subjects of discussion that can be mentioned were the regulation of gate opening and chaperone-mediated assembly of the proteasome, the broad impact of SUMO in many essential cellular processes, genetic and proteomic analysis of the ubiquitin system, chemistry of ubiquitylation and the new small molecule inhibitors of acting at different levels of the UPS. No doubt that as it was the case for the many noted architects, sculptors, and painters of the time that contributed to create this beautiful building, the scientists that participated in this meeting should have felt their effort had not been in vain.
The prize attributed to the best poster was awarded to the young investigator Karolin Eifler from Germany, for her work describing a family of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes involved in plant cell death regulation that senses oxidative signals. Our meeting ended with a wonderful dinner at the Barceloneta restaurant, where a nice meal in a great atmosphere spiced with an excellent view of the city of Barcelona and the Mediterranean sea, were already inviting all the participants to return to this beautiful city and great example of European cultural capital.
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Past Events
Our 2009 meeting was hosted by The Catalunian Society of Biology, the University of Barcelona and IBMB-CSIC.
Hosted by:
Societat Catalana de Biologia
Organizers:
Timothy Thomson IBMB-CSIC
Bernat Crosas IBMB-CSIC
Gemma Marfany UB
Rosa Farras CIPF
Manuel S. Rodríguez CICbioGUNE
Venue: l'Institut d'Estudis Catalans. Sala Prat de la Riba.
Casa de Convalescència, C/ del Carme, 47, Barcelona, Spain.
A photo gallery is be available on the BS website
http://www.biochemistry.org/Conferences/Gallery/tabid/380/Default.aspx
Some pictures from our meeting 2009
 
 
 
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This Biochemical Society (BS) focused meeting was the result of a collaboration with the INPROTEOLYS network. Thanks to the BS this type of culturally and scientifically interesting meetings are possible. The impression collected from most delegates who attended this meeting could not be any better, so we encourage the BS to continue with their contribution to develop high quality science communication in Europe through collaborations with other scientific societies.
The organisers would like to thank the local authorities of the Institut d’Estudis Catalans and Societat Catalana de Biologia, the Spanish Ministry of Science (MICINN), the Biochemical Society, the Spanish National Research Council and Portland Press Editorial office for their tremendous support to organise this meeting, in particular, to Laura Argente (from Manners, in charge of the technical secretariat) and to Silvia Rabar (from the Biochemical Society) for their strong commitment with the organization.
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Meeting Report
The 4th Intracellular Proteolysis Meeting
Ubiquitin-Proteasome System, Dynamics and Targeting
a Biochemical Society focused meeting
Barcelona,Spain 27-29 of May 2009.
When a historical place, a multicultural city, nice food and weather, and excellent science are brought together, a meeting can only have a tremendous success. Indeed, the 4th INPROTEOLYS meeting held in Barcelona had the magnificent scenario of the Casa de la Convalescència de Sant Pau (Convalescent Home of Saint Paul) which is the Headquarters of the Institute for Catalan Studies. I have to take some time to talk about this XVII century building initially planned for religious purposes and ended being part of a hospital. The austerity of the classical architecture only makes few concessions to the baroque and to the plastic arts of the XVII/XVIII centuries such as sculptures, painting, ceramics and tile work. Surrounded by this artistic/historic atmosphere the "Sala Prat de la Riba" offered a tailored scenario decorated with mural paintings and old tapestries for our oral sessions. Not less impressive was the cloister with the double cornice of Tuscan origin, arcades and pilasters, gargoyles, and ceramic panels of the galleries that were used for the poster sessions. As many other of the city's noble buildings from this period, the patio of orange trees is a beautiful hanging garden that we used for our coffee breaks and discussions. But like in many of the excellent restaurants of the "Ciutat Comtal", decoration and atmosphere is important but would have been disappointing without a good menu. Fortunately, we had a promising program from the outset, beginning with Dan Finley and Alfred Goldberg, followed by Ron Hay, Frauke Melchior, and Stefan Jentsch for the first day. Our main course was also excellent and included Wade Harper, Michael Rape, Michele Pagano, Dan Durocher, and Jiri Bartek. To finish with a nice sweet taste in our mouth, we had Sara Sigismund, Huib Ovaa, and Ivan Dikic. The whole meal was accompanied by the nice wine of the discussions provided by many highly motivated young scientist attending this meeting, coming form many different countries and specialities related to protein degradation. This meeting, which involved 157 registered delegates, 47 oral presentations and 3 poster sessions reflected the current research interests in the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System, SUMO-regulated processes, Ubiquitin and Cell cycle, DNA-damage repair, Drug discovery and Ubiquitin and UBL role in intracellular traffic, all of which were integrated into the sessions of this meeting. Among the most interesting subjects of discussion that can be mentioned were the regulation of gate opening and chaperone-mediated assembly of the proteasome, the broad impact of SUMO in many essential cellular processes, genetic and proteomic analysis of the ubiquitin system, chemistry of ubiquitylation and the new small molecule inhibitors of acting at different levels of the UPS. No doubt that as it was the case for the many noted architects, sculptors, and painters of the time that contributed to create this beautiful building, the scientists that participated in this meeting should have felt their effort had not been in vain.
The prize attributed to the best poster was awarded to the young investigator Karolin Eifler from Germany, for her work describing a family of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes involved in plant cell death regulation that senses oxidative signals. Our meeting ended with a wonderful dinner at the Barceloneta restaurant, where a nice meal in a great atmosphere spiced with an excellent view of the city of Barcelona and the Mediterranean sea, were already inviting all the participants to return to this beautiful city and great example of European cultural capital.
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