Prof Dr. Peter-Michael Kloetzel

Director of the Institute of Biochemistry
Campus Charité Mitte
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

1970 - 1972: Studies of Biology, University of Tübingen
1972 - 1976: Studies of Biology, University of Düsseldorf
1976: Diploma in Biology, University of Düsseldorf
1978 - 1979: Ph.D. Institute of Genetics, University of Düsseldorf
1979 - 1981: Post-doctoral grant of the DFG, University of St. Andrews, Institute of Zoology, Scotland
1981 - 1982: Post-doctoral position, University of Oxford,
Institute of Biochemistry, United Kingdom
1982 - 1987: Assistant Professor, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Heidelberg, Germany
1985: Habilitation (Professional qualification in molecular genetics at the faculty of Biology, University of Heidelberg)
1986 - 1993: Research Group Leader, Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie, Heidelberg, Germany
1987 - 1993: Professorship at the Ruprecht Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
since 1993: Full professorchip and chair of the Institute of Biochemistry (full professorship), Charité Berlin
since 1998: Speaker of the “Sonderforschungsbereich 421“
(DFG Collaborative Research Center), “Protective and Pathological results of Antigen Processing”
since 2005: Acting director of the Charité Centrum 2
(basics of medicine)

Contact Information

Institut für Biochemie
Monbijoustr. 2
10117 Berlin

Phone: +49 30 450 528 071 / 232
Fax: +49 30 450 528 921
email: p-m.kloetzel@charite.de
www: www.charite.de/biochemie

Research Topics

Analysis of proteasome assembly; the role of the UPS in the cellular immune response; identification and functional analysis of post-translational modifications of the proteasome complex; development of new proteasome inhibitions; interaction of tetra-ubiquinated substrates with the 26S proteasome and functional consequences

Major Research Areas and Scientific Accomplishments

The major research area is in the field of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and the functional role of the UPS in the cellular immune response and MHC class I antigen. The group studies the role of the UPS and its regulatory components and cytokines in the generation and presentation of tumour antigen and viral epitope. The group was among the first to suggest the participation of the proteasome system in MHC class I antigen processing and the first group to show that the proteasome is indeed able to generate MHC class I ligands. The group achieved a major breakthrough in the field, showing that the proteasome activator PA28 is able to enhance MHC class I antigen presentation and that PA28 is essential for the presentation of certain tumour epitopes. The work of the group during the past fifteen years greatly contributed to the present day knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of antigen processing by the UPS and the role of the UPS in concert with other proteolyti c sy stems in health and disease.