AXEL BRUNGER PRT TIME

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The proposed experiments involve the characterization of small protein crystals. The protein in question is a fairly large (~500 kDa) complex of two different proteins. The crystals stain blue in the presence of crystal violet dye, indicating that they are composed of protein. However, the crystals grow only as small plates, with dimensions of approximately 100-200 microns on the plate face and 50 microns measured orthogonal to the face. The crystals are to be studied to determine extent of diffraction, twinning and mosaicity. Potential improvements in cryo-conditions will also be examined. The crystals have been grown in a variety of different substrates. The effect of these substrates upon the diffraction properties will be studied as well. Determination of space group and the collection of a native set for these crystals would be the ultimate goal within this shift of beamtime. Tavares - MAGUK proteins are important scaffolds that organize membrane domains and protein signaling complexes. Members of the family share a common core composed of a PDZ domain, a SH3 domain and a guanylate kinase homology domain. Many binding partners for each of these domains have been identified. The protein-protein interactions involving each domain explain the clustering of proteins at specific sites, for instance at synapses, septate and tight junctions, and apical and basal surface of polarized epithelial cells, as well as the ability of membrane signaling pathways to induce events during embryonic development. It has been suggested that intra- and intermolecular interactions regulate conformation and binding activity of MAGUK domains. Therefore we are interested to study at molecular level two members of the MAGUK family in order to understand the structural basis of these interactions and implications for binding of partners.