RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #17771 PROFILE

This project looks at how proteins move molecules across cell membranes using ions like a tiny energy source. These proteins are found everywhere and are important for treating diseases. By studying them, we can learn more about how they work and find new ways to treat illnesses.

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.

Transporters

Proteins that move molecules across cell membranes.

Transporters are essential proteins found in all living organisms. They help move various substances, such as nutrients and waste products, across the boundaries of cells. This movement is crucial for many biological processes, including nutrient uptake, detoxification, and signaling.

Secondary Active Transporters

Membrane proteins that use an ion gradient to transport molecules across cell membranes.

Secondary active transporters are a type of protein that uses the energy stored in an ion gradient to move other molecules across cell membranes. They play a vital role in many biological processes, such as nutrient uptake and waste removal.

Ion Gradient

A difference in concentration of ions across a cell membrane.

An ion gradient is the difference in the concentration of charged particles (ions) on either side of a cell membrane. This difference in concentration creates an electrical potential that can be used to power cellular processes.

Cell Membrane

The outer boundary of a cell that controls the passage of materials in and out.

The cell membrane is a thin layer that surrounds every cell. It acts as a barrier between the inside and outside of the cell, regulating what can enter and exit.