U.S.-France Cooperative Research: The Role of bcl-2 Family Proteins in Protein Translocation Across Mitochondrial Membranes

这项为期三年的美法细胞生物学合作研究奖由纽约大学的凯瑟琳·W·金纳利和她的研究小组以及法国波尔多第二大学的斯蒂芬·蒂埃里·马农获得。这项合作的目的是确定bcl2蛋白在蛋白质跨线粒体膜转移中的作用。在酵母中发现的bcl2蛋白家族调节导致细胞死亡的线粒体蛋白的释放。计划进行实验，以确定bcl2家族调节这种释放的基本机制，以及蛋白质如何跨膜屏障运输。这位美国研究人员为这项合作带来了应用于天然和重组线粒体膜的电生理学技术方面的专业知识。此外，法国在进行蛋白质进口实验以及培育酵母和酵母线粒体突变体方面的专业知识也与此相辅相成。该奖项代表了美国方面向NSF和法国国家科学研究中心(CNRS)提出的联合建议。NSF将支付这名美国调查员的旅费和生活费。CNRS将支持这位法国研究人员访问美国。这项合作将促进对蛋白质跨膜转运机制的基本理解。这些过程在许多细胞功能中都是重要的，包括信号、分泌、细胞结构的生物发生、隔室以及控制组织稳定性(稳态)和器官发生的机制。

0003797KinnallyThis three-year award for U.S.-France cooperative research in cellular biology involves Kathleen W. Kinnally and her research group at New York University and Stephan Thierry Manon of the Universite de Bordeaux II in Bordeaux, France. The collaboration is aimed at defining the role of bcl-2 proteins in protein translocation across mitochondrial membranes. The bcl-2 family of proteins found in yeast regulate the release of mitochondrial proteins that cause cell death. Experiments are planned to determine the fundamental mechanism by which the bcl-2 family regulates this release and how the proteins are transported across membrane barriers. The US investigator brings to this collaboration expertise in electrophysiology techniques applied to native and reconstituted mitochondria membranes. This is complemented by French expertise in performing protein import experiments and in generating yeast and yeast mitochondrial mutants.This award represents the US side of a joint proposal to the NSF and the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). NSF will cover travel funds and living expenses for the US investigator. The CNRS will support the visits of the French researcher to the United States. The collaboration will advance fundamental understanding into the mechanism by which proteins are translocated across membranes. These processes are important in many cellular functions including signaling, secretion, biogenesis of cell structures, compartmentation, and the mechanisms controlling tissue stability (homeostasis) and organogenesis.