AAA+ and Related ATP-Driven Protein Machines: Structure, Function and Mechanism (C6) 2011

AAA+ protein machines catalyze basic biological processes: they degrade proteins, remodel protein complexes and nucleic acids, transport macromolecules across membranes, and shape membranes. They are at the center of cellular processes such as cell cycle control, protein sorting, DNA replication, cytoskeleton dynamics, and membrane budding. Thus, AAA+ machines play roles in a wide range of disease including cancer, neurodegeneration and infection. Despite the diversity of function, there appears to be a common operating mode of AAA+ proteins and we are at the cusp of acquiring a deep understanding of their molecular mechanism. However, different aspects of the mechanism are understood in different systems. At this conference we would bring together speakers that have elucidated critical aspects of different AAA+ proteins. The group transcends molecular scales and methodology. We add a smaller number of speakers who have made breakthroughs in the understanding of proteins that do not belong to the AAA+ family but are either functionally or structurally related. We hope that this combination will lead to insights into the common mechanism of these proteins and inspire novel experimental approaches and discoveries.