CAREER: Instruction in Neuroscience and Research Toward Characterization of a Novel Family of Potassium Channel Related Proteins

钾离子通道是一种类似孔的结构，它允许钾离子以一种受调节的方式穿过细胞膜。它们对所有细胞都很重要，但在心脏、肌肉和神经细胞中起着特别关键的作用，它们控制着电信号的模式。通道是由四个含孔域亚基组合而成。这种组装是由通道的一个区域介导的，该区域被称为NAB或Ti结构域。我们已经发现了一类新的蛋白质，称为nab，它包含一个类似ti的结构域，但没有孔结构域。一种称为双杂交相互作用陷阱的分子生物学方法将与经典的生化技术相结合，以确定Nab蛋白中的Ti结构域是否介导蛋白-蛋白组装，如果是，则确定结合伙伴。一种Nab蛋白的表达水平已被细胞因子所提高，细胞因子参与调节正常发育和损伤后的炎症反应。不同nab的基因表达谱将通过原位杂交和免疫学技术在正常大脑发育、脑损伤后以及对细胞因子的反应中进行检测。综上所述，这些研究将增加我们对Ti结构域结构功能关系的理解，也可能为Nab蛋白的功能作用提供见解，包括在细胞损伤反应中的任何潜在参与。高中生、本科生和研究生将积极参与项目的开发和演出。此外，促进批判性思维的策略将被纳入三个重新设计的课程，以加强对分子和神经科学及其对社会的影响的理解。此外，还将扩大对地方小学的推广活动，以促进将科学发现过程纳入科学课程。

T. Perney9876321Potassium channels are pore-like structures, which allow the flux of potassium ions across a cell's membrane in a regulated manner. They are important for all cells, but have a particularly critical role in heart, muscle, and nerve cells where they control the pattern of electrical signaling. The channels are formed by the assembly of four pore domain containing subunits. This assembly is mediated by a region of the channel, which has been termed the NAB or Ti domain. We have identified a new class of proteins, termed Nabs, which contain a Ti-like domain, but no pore domain. A molecular biological approach called the two hybrid interaction trap coupled with classic biochemical techniques will be used to determine whether the Ti domain in the Nab proteins mediate protein-protein assembly and if so, to identify the binding partners. The expression levels of one of the Nab proteins has been shown to be increased by cytokines, molecules involved in mediating both normal development and the inflammation response after injury. Gene expression profiles for the different Nabs will be examined by in situ hybridization and immunological techniques during normal brain development, after brain injury, and in response to cytokines. Taken together, these studies should increase our understanding of the structure function relationships of Ti domains and may also provide insight into the functional role of Nab proteins including any potential involvement in the cellular response to injury. High school, undergraduate and graduate students will actively participate in development and performance of the project. In addition, strategies to promote critical thinking will be incorporated into three redesigned courses to enhance the understanding of Molecular and Neurosciences and their impact on society. An outreach program to local elementary schools will also be expanded to promote the inclusion of the scientific discovery process in the science curriculum.