Brągoszewski research group
Proteins are always at risk of misfolding, becoming damaged, or aggregating. Cellular proteomes are shaped by opposing, highly regulated processes of protein synthesis and degradation. Furthermore, over half of newly synthesized proteins must be transported from their site of synthesis to their final subcellular destinations. Thus, numerous specialized protein quality control and transport pathways are necessary to ensure the proper distribution and functioning of proteins. These quality control mechanisms that respond to the damage or mislocalization of proteins are essential for maintaining cellular protein homeostasis – proteostasis. Failures in proteostasis are among the pivotal factors contributing to many pathological conditions.
Exploring Protein Homeostasis
Our broad goal is to comprehend the molecular mechanisms that regulate cellular proteostasis. Most of our current efforts focus on proteins transported across membranes and the primary cellular machinery responsible for specific protein degradation – the ubiquitin-proteasome system. We employ both hypothesis-driven and unbiased approaches to discover new factors that integrate these processes.
Our Proteostasis Experts
Our researchers are passionate people with extensive knowledge and practical experience in the field of proteostasis. Each of them brings a unique perspective and professionalism to our group.
Piotr Brągoszewski
Group Leader
Doktor biologii molekularnej z pasją do badań nad procesami proteostazy.
Maryam Mukhtar
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Explores posttranslational modifications of mitochondrial proteins and runs an Internal Grant on ubiquitination in cancer
Magda Krakowczyk
PhD Student, Vet
Investigates how mitochondria eliminate unwanted proteins and runs Preludium grant on disease-associated protein variants
Krutika Thakkur
PhD Student, Msc
Develops in vivo reporters of mitochondrial protein import
Our Research Projects
Current projects:
SONATA BIS
Since 2020 – project 'Ubiquitin as a modulator of the mitochondrial
protein import proces’ founded by The National Science Centre
Completed projects:
SONATA
2014 – 2017 ‘Extramitochondrial factors regulating turnover of
mitochondrial intermembrane space proteins’ founded by The National Science Centre
PRELUDIUM
Since 2024 – project 'Impact of OMA1 protease on aggregation-prone
proteins associated with
neurodegenerative diseases’
First TEAM
2017 – 2023 project ‘Cellular
mechanisms handling failed mitochondrial protein translocation events’ funded by The Foundation for Polish Science
Internal MSCI project
Since 2025 – The involvement of UBE3C-dependent proteasome dysregulation in ovarian cancer
Our Publications
OMA1 protease eliminates arrested protein import intermediates upon mitochondrial depolarization. Krakowczyk M, Lenkiewicz AM, Sitarz T, Malinska D, Borrero M, Mussulini BHM, Linke V, Szczepankiewicz AA, Biazik JM, Wydrych A, Nieznanska H, Serwa RA, Chacinska A, P. Bragoszewski. (2024) Journal of Cell Biology, 223(5). https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202306051
Monitoring retro-translocation of proteins from the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Krakowczyk Magda & Piotr Bragoszewski. (2024) Methods Enzymol, 707:173-208. doi: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.07.047
The consequence of ATP synthase dimer angle on mitochondrial morphology studied by cryo-electron tomography. Buzzard E, McLaren M, Bragoszewski P, Brancaccio A, Ford HC, Daum B, Kuwabara P, Collinson I, Gold VAM. (2024) Biochemical Journal 481(3), 161–175.
Mechanisms of stress management in mitochondrial protein import. Mukhtar M., Thakkur K., Chacinska A, P. Bragoszewski. (2023) Biochemical Society Transactions, 51(6), 2117–2126.
Cytosolic quality control of mitochondrial protein precursors – the early stages of the organelle biogenesis. Lenkiewicz AM, M. Krakowczyk i P. Bragoszewski. (2022) Int J Mol Sci 23(1): 7.
Methods in Enzymology
Monitoring retro-translocation of proteins from the mitochondrial
intermembrane space
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Cytosolic quality control of mitochondrial protein precursors – the early stages of the organelle biogenesis
Journal of Cell Biology
OMA1 protease eliminates arrested protein import intermediates upon mitochondrial depolarization
Biochemical Society Transactions
Mechanisms of stress management in mitochondrial protein import
Obszar badań
Współpraca badawcza
Contact us:
Protein Homeostasis Group
Department of Experimental Oncology, Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology
5 Roentgena Street, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
T: +48 22 546 24 51
E: piotr.bragoszewski@nio.gov.pl
