RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #18800 PROFILE

The project relates to how small pieces of irregular proteins interact with each other and how adding a chemical group (like phosphorylation) changes these interactions. This helps us understand how these proteins control genes, which is important because messed-up gene control can lead to diseases like cancer.

Note: This TLDR is a simplication and may not be 100% accurate.

Disordered proteins are essential regulators of cellular function.

In particular, they regulate the transcription of genes.

In this project we want to understand how disordered proteins involved in gene regulation interact with each other and how their interactions are modulated.

Disordered proteins are often modified by the attachment of chemical groups, for example via phosphorylation.

This addition of a negatively charged phosphoryl group can change how they interact with binding partners, for example favoring binding to a positively charged partner and disfavoring binding to a negatively charged or hydrophobic binding site.

In this project we look specifically at small fragments of disordered proteins to understand how phosphorylation mediates their interactions.

In subsequent projects we will look at larger fragments or even full-length disordered proteins.

Our research may help to better understand the diverse functions of disordered proteins in regulating genes -- a starting point for understanding the dysregulation of disordered proteins, which is implicated in the development of age-related diseases such as cancer.

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proteins

Large biomolecules essential for various cellular functions.

Proteins are the workhorses of cells, carrying out a vast array of tasks. They are made up of chains of amino acids and have diverse structures that allow them to perform specific roles. Examples include enzymes, antibodies, and structural components like collagen.

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gene

A unit of heredity that carries instructions for building and maintaining an organism.

Genes are segments of DNA that contain the code for making proteins. They determine traits like eye color, hair texture, and susceptibility to certain diseases. Genes are passed down from parents to offspring and play a crucial role in inheritance.

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transcription

The process of copying DNA into RNA.

Transcription is the first step in gene expression, where the information stored in a DNA sequence is copied into a molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA molecule then carries the genetic instructions to ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized.

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phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule.

Phosphorylation is a common chemical modification that regulates protein activity. It involves the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to a specific amino acid residue on a protein. This can alter the protein's shape and function, often switching it on or off.

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binding partner

Another molecule that interacts with a specific protein.

Binding partners are molecules that can associate with each other through non-covalent interactions. This often involves specific regions on the molecules recognizing and fitting together like puzzle pieces. Binding partners can include proteins, DNA, RNA, or small molecules.