RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #18803 PROFILE

The project relates to how tiny parts of messy proteins change how they connect with each other when added chemicals like phosphates make them more or less positive. This could help us understand how these proteins control our genes and why problems with them are linked to diseases as we age.

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.

proteins

Large biomolecules essential for various cellular functions.

Proteins are the workhorses of cells, carrying out a vast array of tasks like building tissues, catalyzing reactions, and transporting molecules. Their complex structures allow them to perform these diverse roles.

transcription

The process of creating an RNA copy from a DNA template.

Transcription is the first step in gene expression, where the information stored in DNA is copied into RNA. This RNA molecule then serves as a blueprint for protein synthesis.

phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule.

Phosphorylation is a common way to regulate protein activity. Adding a phosphate group can change a protein's shape and function, often activating or deactivating it.

binding partners

Molecules that interact with each other through specific binding sites.

Proteins often work together by interacting with each other. These interactions can be crucial for many cellular processes, such as signaling and metabolism.

fragments

Smaller pieces of a larger molecule.

Fragments are often used in research to study specific parts of molecules. This can help scientists understand how different regions of a protein contribute to its overall function.