Head of Research Group: Prof. Zoltán GÁSPÁRI
Members of the Group: Dr. Zsófia E. DOBSON-KÁLMÁN, Borbála JAKAB, Bianka SZALAINÉ ÁGOSTON
Contact: gaspari.zoltan@itk.ppke.hu
Our research focuses on the structure-function relationships of proteins with experimental and computational methods. Our experimental work centers on components of the postsynaptic density that are involved in interneuronal communication, including molecular processes related to learning and memory. The investigated protein regions include globular, fibrillar, and intrinsically disordered segments. After expression and purification, these segments are characterized using various biophysical methods, including NMR spectroscopy experiments conducted via collaborations.
One of our major approaches is the combination and/or interpretation of these NMR data with molecular modeling. Another topic investigated in our group is single alpha-helices (SAHs). We use bioinformatics to detect such motifs and characterize their occurrence in various proteins. We are also working on the integrative structure modeling of the SAH region of the post-synaptic actin-binding protein Drebrin.
Structural ensemble (60 conformers) of the Drebrin SAH region generated based on NMR and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data. The sequence of the construct is shown at the bottom; lowercase letters indicate the expression tag. Positively charged residues (Arg, Lys) are colored blue, and negatively charged ones (Asp, Glu) are colored red in both the cartoon representation and the sequence.
Future research directions, collaboration opportunities
We are open to collaborating on projects focusing on the experimental and/or computational description of the proteins of the postsynaptic density. We are especially interested in integrative structure modeling of proteins. We are also keen on studying new-ly described groups and functions of proteins containing single alpha-helices (SAHs).
Key publications
- Nagy-Kanta, E., Kálmán, Zs., Tossavainen, H., Juhász, T., Farkas, F., Hegedüs, J., Keresztes, M., Beke-Somfai, T., Gáspári, Z., Permi, P., Péterfia, B. (2026). Residual flexibility in the topologi-cally constrained multivalent complex between the GKAP scaffold and LC8 hub proteins. FEBS JOURNAL, 293:76-95.
- Varga, S., Péterfia, B., Dudola, D., Farkas, , Jeffries, Cy M., Permi, P., Gáspári, Z. (2025). Dynamic interchange of local residue-residue interactions in the largely extended single alpha-helix in Drebrin. BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL, 482:383-399.
- Kálmán, Zs., Czajlik, A., Maruzs, B., Farkas, F., Pap, I., Homonnay, Cs., Klumpler, T., Batta, Gy., Gáspári, Z., Péterfia, B. (2025). Structural modeling and dynamics of the full-length Homer1 multimer. PROTEINS, 94:947-960.
