Abstract

Cell death is a crucial physiological process for the normal and functional development of multicellular organisms. Many of the signals involved in this process converge at the mitochondrial membrane, where disfunctions can promote tumor formation.

In the present project we are investigating protein-lipid and protein-protein interactions in the membrane, with special emphasis on how the interactions between proteins of the Bcl-2 family and gasdermins govern cell fate. To this end, we are studying the interfacial association of these proteins with biological membranes and their interactome, including in our analysis viral Bcl-2-like proteins. In addition, we will use high-throughput screenings to search for modulators (peptides and small molecules) that allow us to control these relevant cellular processes.