Collaborative Research: Voltage-gated Proton Channels in Dinoflagellates

合作研究：甲藻中的电压门控质子通道

• 批准号: 1243055
• 负责人: Susan Smith
• 金额: $ 8万
• 依托单位: Kennesaw State University Research and Service Foundation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-01 至 2017-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1243055&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Voltage; gated; Proton

Some dinoflagellates (small unicellular marine organisms) are bioluminescent; they have the ability to emit flashes of light, a beautiful and spectacular sight in the ocean. This project will explore the potential role of voltage gated proton channel (HV) proteins in bioluminescent dinoflagellates, and test their physiological role in bioluminescence. The location of the channel proteins in scintillons (the light emitting organelles of these dinoflagellates) will be examined, as well as their biophysical properties as proton channels. This project explores a novel aspect of dinoflagellate biology and provides an excellent model in which to study the general mechanism of proton selective transport, which is an essential aspect of the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Broader impact: This project will generate knowledge of the basic biology of the dinoflagellates, some of which are responsible for toxic "red tides" whilst those that are bioluminescent create threats of exposure for night-time naval operations involving divers, swimmers and underwater vehicles. This project will provide a unique opportunity to train a postdoctoral fellow and undergraduate and graduate students at the interface of molecular biology, biophysics and marine science.

一些腰鞭毛虫（小型单细胞海洋生物）是生物发光的;它们能够发出闪光，这是海洋中美丽而壮观的景象。本项目将探索电压门控质子通道蛋白在生物发光甲藻中的潜在作用，并测试其在生物发光中的生理作用。通道蛋白的位置，在pronons（这些甲藻的发光细胞器）将被检查，以及它们的生物物理特性的质子通道。该项目探索了甲藻生物学的一个新方面，并提供了一个很好的模型来研究质子选择性运输的一般机制，这是光合作用和呼吸过程的一个重要方面。更广泛的影响：该项目将产生关于腰鞭毛虫的基本生物学知识，其中一些是有毒“赤潮”的原因，而那些生物发光的则对涉及潜水员、游泳者和水下航行器的夜间海军行动造成暴露威胁。这个项目将提供一个独特的机会，培养博士后研究员和本科生和研究生在分子生物学，生物物理学和海洋科学的接口。