RESEARCH: MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
FOLDING PROJECT #17943 PROFILE

Secondary active transporters are proteins that use ion gradients to move molecules across cell membranes. These transporters are important for many biological processes and are targets for drugs treating diseases like cancer and diabetes. This project uses simulations to understand how these proteins work across different types of organisms.

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 cells. They play a crucial role in moving various molecules, such as nutrients, ions, and waste products, across the cell membrane. This process is vital for maintaining cellular homeostasis and function.

Secondary Active Transporters

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

Secondary active transporters are a type of membrane protein that rely on the energy stored in an existing ion gradient to move other molecules across the cell membrane. They play a vital role in various cellular processes, including nutrient uptake, waste removal, and signal transduction.

Ion Gradient

A difference in ion concentration across a membrane.

An ion gradient refers to the unequal distribution of ions (charged particles) across a cell membrane. This concentration difference is essential for various cellular processes, including nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and nutrient transport.

Simulations

Computer models used to study biological systems.

Simulations are computer programs that mimic the behavior of real-world systems. In computational biology, simulations are used to study complex biological processes, such as protein folding, drug interactions, and disease progression.