RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #17768 PROFILE

This project studies how proteins use ion power to move molecules across cell membranes. These proteins are found everywhere in life and help transport important things like medicine! Studying them can lead to new treatments for diseases.

Projects 17745-17750 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 diseases like cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders.

The simulations in this project will allow us to understand a universal role of ion-coupling across different families of proteins.

Secondary active transporters

Proteins that use ion gradients to transport molecules across cell membranes.

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

Ion gradient

A difference in concentration of ions across a membrane.

An ion gradient is a crucial concept in cellular transport. It refers to the uneven distribution of electrically charged atoms (ions) across a cell membrane. This difference in concentration creates an electrochemical potential that drives the movement of ions and other molecules across the membrane. Secondary active transporters rely on these gradients to power their function.

Membrane Transporters

Proteins embedded in cell membranes that facilitate the movement of molecules across them.

Membrane transporters are a diverse group of proteins found within cell membranes. They play a vital role in transporting various substances into and out of cells. These transporters can be classified as passive or active, depending on whether they require energy to move molecules across the membrane. They are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis, nutrient uptake, waste removal, and signaling.

Proteins

Large complex molecules essential for all biological processes.

Proteins are the workhorses of cells, carrying out a vast array of functions. They are composed of chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. Proteins can act as enzymes, catalyzing biochemical reactions, transport molecules across membranes, provide structural support, and regulate cellular processes. Their diverse structures and functions make them essential for life.

Ion

An atom or molecule with a net electrical charge.

Ions are atoms or molecules that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge. Positively charged ions are called cations, while negatively charged ions are called anions. Ions play crucial roles in various biological processes, including nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and maintaining fluid balance.