Dr. rer. nat. Carlo Schmitz

Fetuin-B is a hepatic plasma protein and was identified as a potent inhibitor of the astacin-metalloproteinase ovastacin. We proved the direct interaction between fetuin-B and ovastacin in vivo by a mouse model. While fetuin-B deficient mice are infertile due to premature remodelling of the zona pellucida, their fertility could be rescued by an additional ovastacin deficiency. This proved ovastacin as the primary molecular target of fetuin-B. The aim of my project is to investigate the structure-function relationship of fetuin-B and ovastacin in various species.

Publications in PubMed