RUI: Phospholipid Synthesis in Protozoa

磷脂是生物膜的主要结构成分，形成脂质双层。此外，这些分子还在信号转导和囊泡运输中发挥作用，作为蛋白质和碳水化合物的膜锚，经常调节酶和运输蛋白质。磷脂酰胆碱(PC)是真核生物膜中的主要脂类，可通过磷脂酰乙醇胺甲基化和CDP-胆碱途径合成。本项目的目的是确定CDP-胆碱途径在利什曼原虫卵磷脂合成中的作用。利什曼原虫是锥虫原虫的一种。几种合成路线对PC的贡献将在培养细胞中进行评估，并将使用共聚焦显微镜来确定参与PC合成的酶的细胞位置。研究项目的范围还包括鉴定利什曼原虫CDP-胆碱途径的两种酶的重组形式，胆碱激酶使胆碱磷酸化形成磷酸胆碱，以及CTP：磷酸胆碱胞苷转移酶，将胞苷核苷酸转移到磷酸胆碱。这个项目将有助于更多关于磷脂合成的知识，为理解卵磷脂在锥虫体内的合成提供重要的信息。这项研究的完成有赖于化学、生物化学和/或分子生物学专业本科生的大量参与。学生将从参与独立研究和接触生化和分子生物学实验室技术中受益。该项目的一个主要目标是为学生提供机会，在他们的项目完成后在区域和国家会议上展示研究成果。高质量的研究经历给学生带来了他们能够成功的信心，并成为他们剩余职业生涯的推动力。对面向本科生的研究项目的支持对于让我国学生在学术生涯的关键本科阶段成为一名科学家保持兴奋至关重要。

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.