How the atlastin protein helps cell membranes fuse
Mechanism and Role of Membrane Fusion by the Atlastin GTPase
['FUNDING_R01'] · CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11048072
This project looks at how the atlastin proteins keep the cell’s internal membrane network intact, with a focus on forms linked to nerve disorders.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11048072 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are recreating how atlastin proteins drive membrane fusion that shapes the endoplasmic reticulum, the cell’s internal membrane network. They purify the three human atlastin forms (ATL1, ATL2, ATL3) and test their ability to fuse artificial membranes in the lab. The team will compare the normal proteins and versions carrying mutations known to cause hereditary spastic paraplegia or hereditary sensory neuropathy to see what goes wrong. Understanding these differences may reveal how atlastin problems lead to nerve disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with hereditary spastic paraplegia (linked to ATL1), hereditary sensory neuropathy (linked to ATL3), or known atlastin gene variants could be relevant for related sample donation or future clinical follow-up.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated neurological conditions or those without atlastin mutations are unlikely to directly benefit from this laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could explain how atlastin mutations cause certain nerve diseases and point to targets for future diagnostics or therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Related lab work successfully showed membrane fusion with the fruit fly atlastin and this project recently managed to reconstitute fusion by human atlastin proteins, so it builds on promising but still novel progress.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIVERSITY — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LEE, CHRISTINA H — CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: LEE, CHRISTINA H
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.