RUI: Signal Coupling During Phagocytosis in Amoeba Proteus

拟议研究的主要目标是继续 吞噬作用机制的基本研究， 变形变形虫作为模型细胞系统，并在一个 本科院校，让本科生接触到一个 现实的研究经验。 吞噬作用是 细胞过程，涉及颗粒的摄取 通过表面膜的内折叠和囊泡形成物质。 在 最初三年的NSF支持这个项目， 表明趋化肽可以诱导吞噬作用， 变形虫 现在对这一过程进行更详细的分析 提出了 吞噬作用的刺激涉及钙运动 也可能是花生四烯酸级联反应的组成部分 起到信号耦合的作用。 与信号相关的事件 现在将分析吞噬作用期间的偶联。 初始 将测量信号与细胞表面的关联 通过追踪氚化肽与变形虫的结合 面 为了建立一种机制， 信息传递到细胞内部，G的作用 蛋白质、甘油二酯、三磷酸肌醇、钙和 花生四烯酸代谢产物在信号传递中会 研究了 变形虫是一个特别有用的模型系统， 内吞作用，这项研究的结果应该增加我们的 深入了解吞噬机制，在这个和其他 细胞 这项研究也将有助于基本了解 细胞信号转导机制。

The major objectives of the proposed research are to continue basic investigations into the mechanism of phagocytosis using Amoeba proteus as a model cell system, and in the context of an undergraduate institution, to expose undergraduate students to a realistic research experience. Phagocytosis is a fundamental cellular process which involves the uptake of particulate material through surface membrane infolding and vesiculaton. In the initial three years of NSF support for this project it was demonstrated that chemotactic peptides can induce phagocytosis in the amoeba. A more detailed analysis of this process is now proposed. Stimulation of phagocytosis involves calcium movements and possibly components of the arachidonic acid cascade, perhaps in a signal coupling role. The events associated with signal coupling during phagocytosis will now be analyzed. Initial association of the signal with the cell surface will be measured by following the binding of tritiated peptides to the amoeba surface. In order to establish the mechanisms by which surface information is transmitted to the cell interior, the role of G proteins, diacylglycerol, inositol trisphosphate, calcium, and arachidonic acid metabolites in signal transmission will be investigated. The amoeba is a particularly useful model system for the study of endocytosis, and the results of this study should increase our insight into the mechanism of phagocytosis in this and other cells. This study will also contribute to basic understanding of cellular signal transduction mechanisms in general.