RUI: Phospholipid Synthesis in Protozoa

RUI：原生动物中的磷脂合成

• 批准号: 1027199
• 负责人: Jon Friesen
• 金额: $ 26.54万
• 依托单位: Board of Trustees of Illinois State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-01 至 2014-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1027199&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Phospholipid; Synthesis; Protozoa

Phospholipids are a major structural component of biological membranes, forming lipid bilayers. In addition, these molecules play roles in signal transduction and vesicular trafficking, serve as membrane anchors for proteins and carbohydrates, and often regulate enzymes and transport proteins. Phosphatidylcholine (PC), the predominant lipid in eukaryotic membranes, can be synthesized by methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine and via the CDP-choline pathway. The aim of this project is to determine the role of the CDP-choline pathway in phosphatidylcholine synthesis in Leishmania, a genus of trypanosome protozoa. The contribution of several synthetic routes to PC will be evaluated in cultured cells and confocal microscopy will be employed to determine the cellular location of enzymes involved in PC synthesis. The scope of the research project also includes characterization of recombinant forms of two enzymes of the CDP-choline pathway from Leishmania species, choline kinase, which phosphorylates choline to form phosphocholine, and CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase, which transfers a cytidine nucleotide to phosphocholine. Broader ImpactsThis project will contribute to the greater body of knowledge with respect to phospholipid synthesis, providing information important for understanding synthesis of phosphatidylcholine in trypanosomes. Completion of the research relies on significant participation from undergraduate students majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, and/or molecular biology. The students will benefit from participation in independent research and exposure to biochemical and molecular biological laboratory techniques. A major goal of the project is to provide the opportunity for students to present research results at regional and national meetings upon completion of their projects. A quality research experiences gives students the confidence they can succeed and serves as a driving force for the remainder of their careers. Support for research projects that target undergraduates is vital for keeping our nation's students excited about being a scientist at the pivotal undergraduate stage of their academic careers.

磷脂是生物膜的主要结构成分，形成脂质双层。此外，这些分子在信号转导和囊泡运输中发挥作用，充当蛋白质和碳水化合物的膜锚，并且通常调节酶和转运蛋白。磷脂酰胆碱 (PC) 是真核细胞膜中的主要脂质，可以通过磷脂酰乙醇胺的甲基化并通过 CDP-胆碱途径合成。该项目的目的是确定 CDP-胆碱途径在利什曼原虫（锥虫原生动物属）磷脂酰胆碱合成中的作用。将在培养细胞中评估几种合成途径对 PC 的贡献，并将采用共聚焦显微镜来确定参与 PC 合成的酶的细胞位置。该研究项目的范围还包括利什曼原虫CDP-胆碱途径的两种酶的重组形式的表征，即胆碱激酶（将胆碱磷酸化形成磷酸胆碱）和CTP：磷酸胆碱胞苷酰转移酶（将胞苷核苷酸转移为磷酸胆碱）。 更广泛的影响该项目将有助于丰富有关磷脂合成的知识，为了解锥虫中磷脂酰胆碱的合成提供重要信息。研究的完成依赖于化学、生物化学和/或分子生物学专业本科生的大力参与。学生将受益于参与独立研究和接触生化和分子生物学实验室技术。该项目的一个主要目标是为学生提供在项目完成后在地区和国家会议上展示研究成果的机会。高质量的研究经历让学生有信心取得成功，并成为他们余下职业生涯的驱动力。支持针对本科生的研究项目对于让我们国家的学生在学术生涯关键的本科阶段成为一名科学家至关重要。