Andreas Nebenführ, Ph.D.

Research Statement

The main focus of our lab is to study transport within plant cells. Transport processes can be expected to play an important role in setting up and maintaining the differential distribution of cellular components from proteins to organelles. The central objects of the research are myosin proteins in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This class of motor proteins can move entire organelles through the cell and is also responsible for cytoplasmic streaming. These movements are likely to affect the functioning of organelles in the secretory system that have a constant exchange of membranes and proteins between them. As a second line of inquiry we are also studying these membrane transport processes, particularly to and from the Golgi apparatus. Our research involves cell-biological, biochemical, molecular, and genetic approaches, such as live-cell imaging, tissue culture, protein-protein interactions, mutant analysis, proteomics. Additional information can be found on the Nebenführ lab page.

Selected Publications

Saint-Jore-Dupas C, Nebenführ A, Boulaflous A, Follet-Gueye ML, Plasson C, Hawes C, Driouich A, Faye L, Gomord V (2006) Plant N-glycan processing enzymes employ different targeting mechanisms for their spatial arrangement along the secretory pathway. Plant Cell 18: 3182-3200. 

Subramanian C, Woo C, Cai X, Xu X, Servick S, Johnson CH, Nebenführ A, von Arnim AG (2006) A suite of tools and application notes for in vivo protein interaction assays using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). Plant Journal 48: 138-152.

Hoffmann A, Nebenführ A (2004) Dynamic rearrangements of transvacuolar strands in BY-2 cells imply a role of myosin in remodeling the plant actin cytoskeleton. Protoplasma 224: 201-210.

Nebenführ A (2003) Intra-Golgi Transport: Escalator or bucket brigade? Annual Plant Reviews 9: 76-89.

Nebenführ A, Ritzenthaler C, Robinson DG (2002) Update on brefeldin A: deciphering an enigmatic inhibitor of secretion. Plant Physiology 130: 1102-1108.

Nebenführ A (2002) Vesicle traffic in the endomembrane system: a tale of COPs, Rabs and SNAREs. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 5: 507-512.

Ritzenthaler C, Nebenführ A, Movafeghi A, Stussi-Garaud C, Behnia L, Pimpl P, Staehelin LA, and Robinson DG (2002) Reevaluation of the effects of brefeldin A on plant cells using tobacco BY-2 cells expressing Golgi-targeted GFP and COP I antisera. Plant Cell, 14: 237-161.

Nebenführ A and Staehelin LA (2001) Mobile factories: Golgi dynamics in plant cells. Trends in Plant Science 6:160-167.

Nebenführ A, Frohlick JA, Staehelin LA (2000) Redistribution of Golgi stack and other organelles during mitosis and cytokinesis in plant cells. Plant Physiology 124: 135-151.

Nebenführ A, Gallagher LA, Dunahay TG, Frohlick JA, Mazurkiewicz AM, Meehl JB, Staehelin LA (1999) Stop-and-go movements of plant Golgi stacks are mediated by the acto-myosin system. Plant Physiology 121: 1127-1141.

Contact Information

Office:
Room 240
Hesler Biology
Phone: (865) 974-9201

Lab:
Room 218
Hesler Biology
Phone: (865) 974-4927

Email: nebenfuehr@utk.edu