Analysis of LIG Molecules: A Novel Class of Signal Transduction Modulators

LIG 分子分析：一类新型信号转导调制器

• 批准号: 0616068
• 负责人: Joseph Duffy
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-08-15 至 2010-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0616068&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Analysis; LIG; Molecules; Novel; Class

Defining the machinery by which cells perceive and respond to their environment remains one of the foremost problems in biology. The recently described LIG family represents a novel component of this signaling machinery in animals. This set of transmembrane molecules is comprised of leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) and an immunoglobulin (IG) domain, two of the most prevalent sequence elements within animal genomes. Studies in this area, currently limited to only a few family members, support the hypothesis that LIG molecules provide unique regulatory mechanisms for diverse signaling networks. The unique domain architecture of LIGs and its strict conservation further suggests that LIGs may represent molecules for inter-network connectivity. The goal of this research is to test these hypotheses by elucidating the functions of LIG molecules and delineating LIG-modulated networks in the model system Drosophila. Detailing the mechanisms through which this novel class of molecules acts is of fundamental importance to achieving an increased understanding of signaling networks and the evolution of their regulatory mechanisms. In addition to furthering knowledge of signaling mechanisms, this work will engage students at all levels in the research experience and provide educational outreach activities for local K-12 science classes. Additionally, a web resource for the LIG family will be developed to integrate functional and sequence based data, facilitate the curation and annotation of this expanding family, and promote open access to LIG-related data.

定义细胞感知和响应环境的机制仍然是生物学中最重要的问题之一。最近描述的 LIG 家族代表了动物体内这种信号机制的一个新组成部分。这组跨膜分子由富含亮氨酸的重复序列 (LRR) 和免疫球蛋白 (IG) 结构域组成，这是动物基因组中最常见的两个序列元件。该领域的研究目前仅限于少数家族成员，支持 LIG 分子为不同信号网络提供独特调节机制的假设。 LIG 独特的域结构及其严格的保守性进一步表明，LIG 可能代表网络间连接的分子。本研究的目的是通过阐明 LIG 分子的功能并在果蝇模型系统中描绘 LIG 调制网络来检验这些假设。详细说明这类新型分子的作用机制对于加深对信号网络及其调控机制演变的理解至关重要。除了加深对信号机制的了解之外，这项工作还将让各个级别的学生参与研究体验，并为当地 K-12 科学课程提供教育外展活动。此外，还将开发 LIG 家族的网络资源，以集成基于功能和序列的数据，促进这个不断扩大的家族的管理和注释，并促进 LIG 相关数据的开放获取。