Regulation of membrane fusion

细胞被一层薄膜所包围，这层薄膜必须动态地改变，以允许细胞移动、分裂或向邻近细胞释放生物活性信号，以实现脑功能和激素控制。 我的研究项目集中在确定细胞如何控制称为囊泡的小膜包与细胞内膜的融合。 NSF是一种负责控制融合关键步骤的酶，但控制这种酶的机制尚不清楚。 在上一个任期内，我们展示了NSF经历了一次改变其活动的修改。 此外，我们发现这种修饰发生在不同细胞类型的不同位置，包括免疫细胞和大脑。 我们目前的研究计划旨在确定是什么蛋白引起这种修饰，为什么不同的位点在不同的细胞类型中使用，以及这种调节如何影响NSF的活性和膜的融合。 由于NSF控制的细胞功能范围广泛，这项工作的结果将对广泛的生物学家很重要。

Cells are bounded by a thin membrane that must be dynamically changed to permit cells to move, divide, or release bioactive signals to neighboring cells for brain function and hormonal control. My research program focuses on determining how cells control the fusion of small membranous packets called vesicles with the membranes within the cell. NSF is an enzyme responsible for controlling a critical step in fusion yet the mechanisms that control this enzyme are not understood. During the previous term of this grant we showed that NSF undergoes a modification which changes its activity. In addition, we have found that this modification occurs on different places in different cell types including immune cells and the brain. Our current research plan aims to determine what proteins cause this modification, why different sites are used in different cell types, and how this regulation affects the activity of NSF and the fusion of membranes. Due to the broad range of cellular functions controlled by NSF, the results of this work will be important to a wide range of biologists.