ENERGY TRANSDUCTION BETWEEN MEMBRANES

这项拟议的研究的目标是了解生物学 革兰氏阴性菌在膜间的能量传递 以大肠杆菌为模型系统。在大肠杆菌中，细胞膜能量是 与重要营养素(含铁)的主动运输相结合 铁载体和维生素B12)穿过外膜。这一机制 能量转导的机制还有待阐明。有几种蛋白质具有 基因上被证明参与了这种现象，很可能是在 能量转导复合体的形式。强调TonB蛋白， 最直接参与能量转导的蛋白质，我们将尝试 描述能量的结构、功能和调节 转导复合体。这个项目的具体目标是1.)至 确定依赖于TonB的能量的组成和化学计量 转导复合体。2.)为了阐明化学物质的作用 TonB依赖的能量转导的修饰。3.)勾勒出 质膜质子动力偶联的机理 外膜的力和需要能量的过程。4.)至 描述TonB转录调控的机制。 这一领域的研究将对理解 能量转导、蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用和膜现象 总体而言。

The goal of the proposed research is to understand biological energy transduction between membranes using the Gram-negative bacterium E. coli as the model system. In E. coli, cytoplasmic membrane energy is coupled to the active transport of important nutrients (iron-bearing sideropheres and vitamin B12) across the outer membrane. The mechanism of energy transduction remains to be elucidated. Several proteins have been shown genetically to participate in the phenomenon, most likely in the form of energy transduction complexes. Emphasizing TonB protein, the protein most directly involved in energy transduction, we will attempt to characterize the structure, function, and regulation of energy transduction complexes. The specific aims of this project are 1.) to determine the composition and stoichiometries of TonB-dependent energy transduction complexes. 2.) to elucidate the role of chemical modifications in TonB-dependent energy transduction. 3.) to delineate the mechanism of coupling between the cytoplasmic membrane proton-motive force and the energy-requiring processes of the outer membrane. 4.) to characterize the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of TonB. Research in this area will have important ramifications for understanding energy transduction, protein-protein interactions, and membrane phenomena in general.