Description

This PhD project aims to explore the impact of various mechanical properties of the lipid bilayer, such as fluidity or tension, on the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using highly complementary techniques, including high-end biochemistry and NMR, at the interface with molecular pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulations. A better understanding of the intimate relationship between these proteins and the membrane will ultimately contribute to the development of more effective therapeutic compounds.

Skills required

For this project, the candidate must have a good understanding of protein biochemistry, and knowledge of membrane proteins would be a plus, as well as a willingness to work in biophysics (notably NMR). This interdisciplinary project on two different labs also requires good communication skills.

Bibliography

- Fourel C, Gautier Y, Pozza A, Giraud F, Point E, Le Bon C, Moncoq K, Stirnemann G, Hénin J, Lescop E, Catoire LJ. Allosteric coupling between a lipid bilayer and a membrane protein. Biophys J. (2025) Aug 19;124(16):2613-2626. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2025.06.033.
- Pozza A, Giraud F, Cece Q, Casiraghi M, Point E, Damian M, Le Bon C, Moncoq K, Banères JL, Lescop E, Catoire LJ. Nat Commun. Exploration of the dynamic interplay between lipids and membrane proteins by hydrostatic pressure. (2022) Apr 1;13(1):1780. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-29410-5.
- Casiraghi M, Damian M, Lescop E, Banères JL, Catoire LJ. Biochemistry. Illuminating the Energy Landscape of GPCRs: The Key Contribution of Solution-State NMR Associated with Escherichia coli as an Expression Host. (2018); 57(16):2297-2307. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00035.
- Casiraghi M, Damian M, Lescop E, Point E, Moncoq K, Morellet N, Levy D, Marie J, Guittet E, Banères JL, Catoire LJ. Functional Modulation of a G Protein-Coupled Receptor Conformational Landscape in a Lipid Bilayer. J Am Chem Soc. (2016);138(35):11170-5. doi: 10.1021/jacs.6b04432.

Keywords

GPCR, NMR, nanodisc, lipid, biochemistry