Determinants of Molecular Recognition Between Pheromone Receptors and Lipopeptide Pheromones of Schizophyllum Commune

称为G蛋白偶联受体（GPCR）的一组常见细胞表面受体的一些成员可以被几种看似不同的激活分子刺激。 目前还不清楚单个受体如何识别几种看似不同的激活剂，或者受体是否根本无法区分它们。 迄今为止的证据表明，这些受体实际上可以检测到激活剂的细微差异。 这个项目将探索受体如何识别它们的多种激活剂。 一组GPCR和它们的信息素激活剂，来自蘑菇真菌裂褶菌，将被用作实验模型。 将在受体和信息素中进行小的离散变化，以确定这些分子中对确定它们的相互和特异性识别很重要的区域。 从研究这些受体和信息素中获得的新信息将对理解其他生物中相同类型的受体产生影响，其中对一个或另一个伴侣的了解较少。 受体和信息素都将使用分子遗传技术进行研究，重点是重组DNA技术。 另一种基因模型真菌--面包酵母酿酒酵母（Saccharomyces cerevisiae）将被用作替代生物，以测试蘑菇受体和信息素的变化，因为这种酵母可以高效地生长和操作。这项基础生物学研究的影响可能很大。 S.公社使用其受体和信息素来识别相容的交配伙伴，而类似的复杂的受体和激活剂组是动物和人类的味觉和嗅觉的基础，此外，在一些动物中，交配行为。 很大比例的药物靶向GPCR，因此更好地了解GPCR如何发挥作用将有利于理解药物作用和设计。 色葡萄目前正在提交给堪萨斯大学真菌遗传储备中心的一个公社收集物将为进一步研究这些受体和信息素提供遗传资源。 此外，该项目将为本科生提供机会，接受现代遗传学，分子遗传学和微生物学的实践培训。

Some members of a group of common cell surface receptors called the G protein coupled receptors, or GPCRs, can be stimulated by several activating molecules that appear dissimilar. It is not understood how a single receptor recognizes several seemingly different activators, or if the receptor simply cannot differentiate between them. Evidence to date suggests that subtle differences in activators can, in fact, be detected by these receptors. This project will explore how the receptors recognize their multiple activators. A set of GPCRs and their pheromone activators, derived from the mushroom fungus Schizophyllum commune, will be used as an experimental model. Small, discrete changes will be made in the receptors and pheromones in order to identify areas within these molecules that are important for determining their mutual and specific recognition. New information gained from studying these receptors and pheromones will have implications for understanding the same type of receptors in other organisms, where less is known about one or the other partner. Both receptors and pheromones will be studied using molecular genetic techniques with an emphasis on recombinant DNA technology. Another genetic model fungus, the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, will be employed as a surrogate organism in which to test the changes made in the mushroom's receptors and pheromones because this yeast can be grown and manipulated with great efficiency.The impact of this basic biological research is potentially great. S. commune uses its receptors and pheromones to recognize compatible mating partners, while similarly complex sets of receptors and activators are the basis of taste and smell in animals and humans and, additionally, mating behavior in some animals. A large percentage of pharmaceuticals target GPCRs, thus a better general understanding of how GPCRs function will be of benefit for understanding drug action and design. An S. commune collection currently being submitted to the Fungal Genetic Stock Center at Kansas University will provide a genetic resource for further studies on these receptors and pheromones. In addition, this project will provide opportunities for undergraduate students to receive hands-on training in modern genetics, molecular genetics, and microbiology.