Welcome Letter

In eukaryotic cells, the biogenesis of cellular organelles (e.g. mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes, Golgi, endosomes, autophagosomes, and lysosomes) must be carefully regulated in order to maintain cell growth and physiology. Loss of protein function, regulation or localization due to mutation can result in severe diseases that can be attributed to deficiencies in organellar biogenesis or function. These comprise a number of neurodegenerative disorders, including lysosomal storage diseases like the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, Niemann-Pick or Gaucher’s; diseases involving the failed elimination of misfolded protein aggregates, such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and prion-based disorders; as well as mitochondrial and lysosomal diseases, such as Marie-Charcot-Tooth. On the other hand, protein dysfunction can also result from mRNA mistargeting and protein mislocalization, and lead to disorders such as Fragile X-mental retardation and myotonic muscular dystrophy.

Moreover, it has become apparent that asymmetic RNA trafficking plays a critical role in polarized cell growth, motility and, therefore, in the formation of cancer metastases. Thus, knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie mRNA delivery and localized translation at different subcellular structures and organelles is critical for us to understand how proteins access these bodies and control their fate.

This meeting will bring together experts from the diverse fields of trafficking to discuss mechanisms of mRNA and protein transport, and their relationship to prominent diseases associated with organelle biogenesis. We hope to trigger significant scientific discourse between these interconnected, but traditionally separate fields. As our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that regulate protein biogenesis is expanding rapidly, it is an ideal time to bring together researchers from the different disciplines in order to discuss new strategies to understand and, perhaps, intervene with the consequences of these trafficking-associated diseases.

Specific Topics:

  1. Asymmetric mRNA trafficking and polarized cell growth in eukaryotes
  2. Connection between ER biogenesis and disease
  3. mRNA trafficking to organelles
  4. Endolysosomal biogenesis and disease
  5. Peroxisomal and mitochondrial biogenesis and disease
  6. Cellular aggregates, cellular stress, and autophagy