RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #17792 PROFILE

The project relates to special proteins that move molecules across cell walls using energy from ion gradients. These transporters are important for many functions in living things and can be used as targets for treating diseases like cancer and diabetes. Simulations will help us understand how these proteins work.

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 a crucial type of protein found in all living organisms. They work by utilizing 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 of these transporters are also targets for drugs used to treat diseases like cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders.

Ion Gradient

A difference in ion concentration across a membrane.

An ion gradient is a difference in the concentration of charged particles (ions) on either side of a cell membrane. This difference in concentration creates an electrochemical potential that can be used to drive cellular processes, such as the transport of molecules across the membrane. Ion gradients are essential for maintaining cell function and are often exploited by drugs to target specific biological pathways.

Proteins

Large biomolecules composed of amino acids.

Proteins are essential macromolecules that perform a wide variety of functions in living organisms. They are made up of chains of amino acids folded into complex three-dimensional structures. Proteins play crucial roles in cellular processes such as catalysis, transport, signaling, and structural support.

Cell Membranes

Thin lipid bilayers that enclose cells and regulate the passage of substances.

Cell membranes are essential barriers that separate the internal environment of a cell from its surroundings. They are composed primarily of lipids and proteins arranged in a bilayer structure. Cell membranes play crucial roles in maintaining cellular integrity, regulating transport of molecules, and mediating communication between cells.

Drug Targets

Molecules or cellular processes that are targeted by drugs to treat diseases.

Drug targets are specific molecules or pathways within cells that are involved in the development or progression of diseases. Drugs are designed to interact with these targets and modulate their activity to achieve a therapeutic effect. Identifying effective drug targets is a crucial step in the drug discovery process.