FUNCTIONAL ELUCIDATION OF PAG THROUGH THE GENERATION OF TRUNCATION AND POINT MUTANTS Dissertation zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades doctor rerum naturalium (Dr. rer. nat.) genehmigt durch die Fakultät für Naturwissenschaften der Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg von Dipl. Biol. Anita Posevitz-Fejfár geb. am 13.10.1979 in Subotica, Serbien Gutachter: Prof. Dr. Burkhart Schraven Panagiotis Kabouridis, PhD eingereicht am: 27. Februar 2007 verteidigt am: 24. Oktober 2007 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This dissertation would not exist without the contribution of many supporting people. First of all I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Burkhart Schraven for giving me the opportunity to work in his institute among highly motivated scientists and in a stimulating international atmosphere. My special thanks go to Dr. Jonathan Lindquist for giving me insight and guidance to the world of protein biochemistry, for being always ready for constructive discussions and supporting my scientific development by providing autonomy and yet a patient, friendly way of supervision. I should like to thank Michal Šmída for sharing all the tricks and tips in the lab with me and for being a friend, always open for discussions and giving supporting words in hard times. My appreciation for the valuable help and encouragement of Dr. Stefanie Kliche and for the priceless cooperation, which I have received from all members of her laboratory.