Ca²⁺ channels and SNARE protein function in cytotoxic T cells

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are key players in fighting infected cells and tumor cells. To fulfill their cytotoxic functions, CTL have to proliferate, migrate to the target cells, form an Immunological Synapse with them and finally kill them by exocytosis of lytic granules. We want to identify the Ca²⁺ and cation channels required for these processes and analyze their functions. Furthermore we want to investigate the role of SNARE proteins for the Ca²⁺-dependent exocytosis of lytic granules.