Biophotonics: Membranes as Motors: Investigating Nanoelectromechanical Characteristics

申请人的主要目标是了解细胞膜中电诱导皮牛顿级力产生的机制，以及通过膜电/机械特性和跨膜蛋白（如prestin）和阴离子两亲性剂（如solicyate）的相互作用来调节这一过程的分子基础。具体目标包括：(1)研究在没有prestin和细胞骨架的情况下，膜表面电荷和张力对电致力产生的影响；(2)利用模型野生型人胚胎肾（HEK）细胞和转染：(a) prestin、(b)突变prestin和(c)与prestin密切相关的其他蛋白的HEK细胞，研究prestin对整体电诱导力产生的贡献；(3)利用加入到膜中的电压敏感荧光染料研究机电互易性。

0522862AnvariABSTRACTThe applicant's main objectives are to understand the mechanism(s) of the electrically-induced piconewton level force generation in cell membranes and the molecular basis for modulation of this process through membrane electrical/mechanical properties and the interaction of transmembrane proteins such as prestin and anionic amphipathic agents such as solicyate. Specific objectives include: (1) Investigate the effects of membrane surface charge and tension on electrically-induced force generation in the absence of both prestin and the cytoskeleton; (2) Investigate the contribution of prestin to the overall electrically-induced force generation using model wildtype human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells, and HEK cells transfected with: (a) prestin, (b) mutated prestin, and (c) other proteins closely-related to prestin; and (3) Investigate electromechanical reciprocity using a voltage sensitive fluorescent dye incorporated into the membrane.