RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #17726 PROFILE

This project studies how proteins use ions to move molecules across cell membranes. These transporters are important for many biological processes and are targets for drugs treating diseases like cancer and diabetes. Studying them will help us understand how these proteins work in different organisms.

Projects 17711-17724 Molecular basis of secondary active transporters. Secondary active membrane transporters are proteins that utilize ions to transport an assortment of molecules across cell membranes.

These proteins are found in all domains in life and surprisingly, despite vastly different structures, operate under the same mechanism by using an ion gradient to assist in small molecule transport.

Furthermore, many of these secondary active transporters are drug targets to treat disease like cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders.

These simulations will allow us to understand a universal role of ion-coupling across different families of proteins.

secondary active transporter

A type of membrane protein that uses ion gradients to move molecules across cell membranes.

Secondary active transporters are essential proteins found in all living organisms. They work by using the energy stored in an ion gradient to transport other molecules across cell membranes. This process is crucial for many cellular functions, including nutrient uptake, waste removal, and signal transduction. Many secondary active transporters are also targets for drugs used to treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders.

ion gradient

A difference in concentration of ions across a cell membrane.

An ion gradient is a crucial phenomenon that drives many cellular processes. It refers to the unequal distribution of charged atoms (ions) across a cell membrane. This difference in concentration creates an electrochemical potential that cells can harness to power various functions, including transporting molecules and generating electrical signals. Secondary active transporters rely on ion gradients to function.

membrane transport

The movement of molecules across cell membranes.

Membrane transport is essential for cells to maintain their internal environment and interact with their surroundings. It involves the movement of various substances, such as nutrients, ions, and waste products, across the cell membrane. There are two main types of membrane transport: passive transport, which does not require energy, and active transport, which requires energy to move molecules against their concentration gradient. Secondary active transporters utilize a form of active transport.

protein

A large biomolecule composed of amino acids.

Proteins are the workhorses of cells, performing a vast array of functions. They are essential for virtually all biological processes, including catalyzing reactions, transporting molecules, providing structural support, and regulating cellular processes. Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids, which fold into specific three-dimensional structures that determine their function.