RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #17778 PROFILE

This project looks at how proteins use energy from ions to move molecules across cell membranes. These proteins are found everywhere and help with important things like fighting disease. Studying them can teach us about how different proteins work together.

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 transporter

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

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

Ion gradient

A difference in concentration of ions across a membrane.

An ion gradient refers to the uneven distribution of charged particles (ions) across a cell membrane. This concentration difference creates an electrochemical potential that drives various cellular processes, including secondary active transport. The movement of ions down their concentration gradient generates energy used by transporters to move molecules against their concentration gradient.

Molecules

The basic units of matter.

Molecules are formed when two or more atoms bond together. They are the fundamental building blocks of all matter, including living organisms. In biology, molecules play crucial roles in various cellular processes, such as DNA replication, protein synthesis, and energy production.

Cell membrane

A thin layer that surrounds a cell.

The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier that encloses the contents of a cell. It regulates the passage of molecules in and out of the cell, maintaining cellular homeostasis. Composed primarily of phospholipids and proteins, the cell membrane plays a vital role in cell signaling, nutrient uptake, and waste removal.