*A 2-year post-doctoral position for structural studies on modular
proteins containing multifunctional intrinsically disordered
actin-binding domains is available at the Laboratory of Structural
Enzymology and Biochemistry (LEBS), CNRS, in Paris suburbs, France.
Starting date: October/november 2011. European funding - monthly gross
salary: ~ 2 500 euros.*
*_Project:_***
*Structural basis governing the functional versatility of intrinsically
disordered WH2 domains in actin assembly dynamics***
**
*_Job description:_*
***The actin cytoskeleton**relies on the ability of actin ATPase to
self-assemble into polarized filaments which provide in all cells
mechanical force for cell shape maintenance, traffic or membrane
deformation. It forms a dynamic structural network constantly remodeled
in non-muscle cells by many actin-binding proteins.*
*The postdoctoral research project**study **the structural basis
governing the functional versatility of ?-thymosin **(**?T) **and WH2
domains in actin self-assembly dynamics.**These smallubiquitous
actin-binding domains are intrinsically disordered but functional with
highly variable sequences. Found as single or repeated modules in
numerous signalling modular proteins they appear to regulate very
versatile functions in **actin assembly dynamics****[recent reviews:
**Husson**et al. (2010) Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1194,
44-52; Carlier et al., (2011) **Int Rev Cell Mol Biol**.
2011;290:55-85**]. *
*We try to establish the structure-function relationship of ?T/WH2
domains and the structural basis of their multifunctionality**through a
multidisciplinary approach****integrating****biochemical
studies****(**rapid kinetics **mechanisms of****protein-protein
interaction****and****self-assembly****of actin**), biophysical
**(**hydrodynamic **characterizations**, epi**fluorescence
microscopy****in reconstituted****motility medium**) and
**structural****(small-angle****X-ray scattering****in solution
and****X-ray crystallography**). These techniques are used (**1) to
identify****in vitro****all****existing activities**in actin assembly
found **in different****modular****model WH2-containing
proteins****regulating massive actin assembly in****cell migration**,
**developmental processes **or**bacterial **pathogen invasion**, **and
(2) to understand****how these functions****are regulated****by
small****sequence variations**, their **intrinsic flexibility**, some
**arrangements**in **repeats or associations****with other**regulatory
**adjacent****domains **[Bosch et al. (2007) Molecular Cell 28, 555-68;
**Husson et al. (2011) Molecular Cell 43, 464-77]. *
*The laboratory LEBS at CNRS provides state-of-the-art equipment for
protein expression, purification and characterisations by biochemical
and biophysical methods. Crystallization robotics are available in-house
and we have regular access to synchrotron sources. *
*
**_Skills required:_*
*The successful candidate should have a PhD in biochemistry/structural
biology/biophysics/biology with less than 3-4 years postdoctoral
experience and strong practical skills in molecular biology and protein
crystallography, with strong interests for multidisciplinary approaches
on protein-protein interactions
**(**www.lebs.cnrs-gif.fr/carlier/carliereng.html
<http://www.lebs.cnrs-gif.fr/carlier/carliereng.html>**)**.*
*
**_Location:
_**The laboratory is located in a very pleasant green setting within the
large CNRS campus of Gif-sur-Yvette which is 45 mn away from
**Paris**via local railway (RER B). We benefit from a dynamic scientific
surrounding, in close vicinity to Paris labs, Orsay University, the
Atomic Energy Commissariat (CEA) center of Saclay and the SOLEIL
synchrotron (5 min away by car).*
**
*_Contact: _*
*Please send a CV, a short summary of your research experience and
letters of recommendation of two referees to Louis Renault
(renault_at_lebs.cnrs-gif.fr). I will be happy to provide further
information to interested candidates.*
--
***************************************************************************
Louis RENAULT
Laboratoire d'Enzymologie et Biochimie Structurales (LEBS)
Bat. 34, CNRS,
1, avenue de la Terrasse
91 198 Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, FRANCE
Phone: (+)33-1 69 82 34 89 (inside France: 01 69 82 34 89)
Fax: (+)33-1 69 82 31 29
email: louis.rena...@lebs.cnrs-gif.fr
***************************************************************************
