SDSL-EPR Study of Intermediate Filament Structure

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Intermediate Filaments (IFs) are one of three major classes of cytoskeleton found in every cell, and one of the more abundant cellular proteins. Mutations in IF proteins are responsible for at least 85 different human diseases, including many protein aggregation diseases. However, the unusual physical properties of these proteins have precluded determination of crystal structure. Because of this we have no in-depth mechanistic understanding of normal IF function, nor how mutations are pathogenic. In this proposal we will use biophysical approaches to define IF structure with a goal of elucidating IF function, and the degree to which IF structure is conserved across IF classes. This in turn will open the door to understanding pathogenesis among IF proteins, particularly those with protein aggregation phenotypes. We have assembled a team of several technologies: CW SDSL EPR, Pulsed Field SDSL EPR, Computational Modeling, High resolution TEM (Cryo- and STEM) and X Ray Crystallography.