RESEARCH: POLYMERASE
FOLDING PROJECT #16702 PROFILE

This project uses computer simulations to study how proteins fold. One part simulates the RNA polymerase in bacteria, which antibiotics target. Another part looks at how a protein called Hsp70 helps other proteins fold correctly.

This series of GPU projects to simulation the Bacterial RNA Polymerase.

16700-16702: Simulation of E.

coli RNA Polymerase Trigger Loop folding, the target for antibiotics (CBR compounds). 16750-16755: Simulation of folding of client proteins with a chaperone Hsp70.

GPU

Graphics Processing Unit

A specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display device.

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

An enzyme complex that transcribes DNA into RNA in bacteria.

Bacterial RNA polymerase is a crucial enzyme responsible for reading the genetic information stored in DNA and converting it into messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA then serves as a template for protein synthesis, making RNA polymerase essential for all cellular functions in bacteria.

Antibiotics

Drugs that inhibit the growth of or kill bacteria.

Antibiotics are a vital class of medications used to treat bacterial infections. They work by targeting specific mechanisms essential for bacterial survival and replication, effectively combating the spread of disease.

CBR compounds

Chemical-Biological Reference Compounds

CBR compounds are reference materials used in drug discovery and development to evaluate the activity of new molecules against specific targets. They provide a standardized basis for comparing the efficacy and potency of potential therapeutics.

Hsp70

Heat shock protein 70

Hsp70 is a family of chaperone proteins that play a crucial role in assisting other proteins to fold correctly and preventing their aggregation. They are particularly important during stress conditions, such as heat shock, where misfolded proteins accumulate.

Chaperone

A protein that assists in the folding and assembly of other proteins.

Chaperones are essential cellular helpers that guide newly synthesized proteins through their intricate folding process. They prevent misfolding and aggregation, ensuring that proteins achieve their correct three-dimensional structures for proper function.

Client Proteins

Proteins that interact with chaperones for assistance in folding.

Client proteins are the target molecules for chaperone assistance. They often possess complex structures or undergo significant conformational changes during their synthesis, requiring chaperone guidance to achieve their functional forms.