Research Topics:


Molecular Mechanisms of Collagen Homeostasis

In collaboration with the group of Prof. Paul Gissen at the UCL London, we discovered that VPS33B/VIPAR-mediated trafficking of the human enzyme Procollagen Lysyl 2-Oxoglutarate Dioxygenase 3 (LH3/PLOD3) to newly described cytoplasmic organelles (collagen IV carriers or CIVC) is essential to post-translational modification of de novo generated collagen, its structure and function. This represents the discovery of a novel post-Golgi trafficking pathway that involves previously unrelated sorting proteins and enzymes, also defining roles for the previously uncharacterized VPS33B and VIPAR proteins in regulation of LH3/PLOD3 enzyme functions. VPS33B and VIPAR are deficient in the severe multisystem disorder Arthrogryposis, Renal dysfunction and Cholestasis syndrome (ARC). Our data provide new insights to understand the molecular mechanisms of this devastating genetic syndrome and related phenotypes.

Schematic of the newly-discovered pathway targeting LH3 from the trans-Golgi Network to the newly described procollagen containing organelles is regulated by VIPAR and its interacting proteins. Schematic of the pathway targeting LH3 from the trans-Golgi Network to the newly described procollagen containing organelles is regulated by VIPAR and its interacting proteins. Shown on the top-right corner is the homology model of VPS33B-VIPAR interaction, on the right is the crystal structre of full-lenght, dimeric human LH3.

We have determined the first crystal structure of a full-length human LH enzyme (LH3/PLOD3), providing a structural framework to understand the molecular mechanisms of collagen lysine modification and to rationalize the impact of the numerous disease-related mutations affecting PLOD genes. Our research has then expanded on biochemical and biophysical studies of LH variants and their roles in homeostasis and disease. To further facilitate access to the structural information and mapping of disease-related mutations, we have developed SiMPLOD, a free, manually curated online database which collects all known PLOD mutations and allows their immediate localization on macromolecular structures. SiMPLOD is available at http://fornerislab.unipv.it/SiMPLOD.

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Active Grants related to this research:

  • Italian Association for Cancer Research program "Bridge Grant"
  • The Ehlers-Danlos Society
  • Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation
  • University Institute of Superior Studies, Pavia (IUSS)

    • Completed Grants related to this research:

  • Italian Association for Cancer Research program "My First AIRC Grant"
  • Armenise-Harvard Foundation's Career Development Award
  • Fondazione Cariplo
  • Mizutani Foundation for Glycoscience
  • University Institute of Superior Studies, Pavia (IUSS)
  • University of Pavia InROAD program
  • MSCA-IF COTETHERS project, funded by the EU H2020 program MSCA-IF COTETHERS project, funded by the EU H2020 program
  • Dipartimenti di Eccellenza Program from MIUR