RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #17789 PROFILE

Secondary active transporters are proteins that use ion gradients to move molecules across cell membranes. They're found everywhere in life and some are used as drug targets for diseases like cancer. The project relates to understanding how these transporters work across different types of proteins.

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 move molecules across cell membranes.

Secondary active transporters are essential proteins that help cells move different substances across their membranes. They work by using the energy stored in an ion gradient (like a concentration difference of charged particles) to power the movement of other molecules. This process is crucial for many cellular functions, including nutrient uptake, waste removal, and signal transduction. These transporters are also important drug targets because they play a role in various diseases.

Ion gradient

A difference in concentration of ions across a membrane.

An ion gradient is a difference in the number of charged particles (ions) on either side of a cell membrane. This separation creates a potential energy that can be used to drive various cellular processes, such as transporting molecules against their concentration gradient. Secondary active transporters rely on this stored energy from an ion gradient to power their function.

Simulations

Computer models used to represent and study complex systems.

Simulations are powerful tools used in various fields, including biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems. In drug discovery, simulations can help researchers model how a drug interacts with its target protein and predict its potential efficacy and safety.