Intrinsic Tilt of Transmembrane Helices

本计画的实验将使用固态磁共振方法来研究肽-脂质的相互作用。特别是，研究人员试图了解设计的，锚定的，跨膜肽与脂质相互作用的分子机制，并调整其倾斜或几何形状，以响应脂质环境的变化。特别重要的是，将试图解决最近出现的明显的差异或争议之间的实验结果从磁共振光谱和分子动力学模拟的理论预测有关的行为肽跨越脂质双层膜。实验方法将通过使用两种独立且本质上不同的方法来解决这些及时的问题，即基于氘（2 H）四极相互作用和氮/氢（15 N/1H）偶极相互作用的方法。预期的结果将在分子水平上增强对蛋白质/脂质相互作用和膜蛋白功能的集体理解。该项目将增强阿肯色州的一个特定的大学倡议，旨在为本科科学教育开发一个新的范例。HHMI资助的“科学教育工作室方法”旨在创新地招募新的创造性思维，致力于科学发现的终身职业，同时扩大非传统个人和代表性不足的群体参与科学的基础。这里的努力将扩大团队研究的概念，包括NSF支持的学生一起工作，并与正在进行的工作室研究团队成员一起工作。扩展新的工作室/团队经验的影响将通过帮助建立未来的科学工作队伍来造福社会。

The experiments for this project will employ solid-state magnetic resonance methods to investigate peptide-lipid interactions. In particular, the investigators seek to understand the molecular mechanisms by which designed, anchored, membrane-spanning peptides interact with lipids and adjust their tilt or geometry in response to changes in the lipid environment. Of specific importance will be attempts to resolve recent apparent discrepancies or controversies that have arisen between the experimental results from magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the theoretical predictions from molecular dynamics simulations concerning the behavior of peptides that span lipid bilayer membranes. The experimental methods will address these timely issues by using two independent and inherently different approaches, namely methods based upon the deuterium (2H) quadrupole interaction and the nitrogen/hydrogen (15N/1H) dipole interactions. The expected results will enhance the collective understanding of protein/lipid interactions and the function of membrane proteins at the molecular level.The project will augment a particular University of Arkansas initiative aimed toward developing a new paradigm for undergraduate science education. This HHMI funded "Studio Approach to Science Education" has been designed for innovative recruiting of new creative minds to lifelong careers dedicated to scientific discovery, while at the same time broadening the base for participation of non-traditional individuals and underrepresented groups in science. Efforts here will broaden the team research concept by including NSF-supported students working alongside and in conjunction with ongoing studio research team members. The impact of extending the novel studio/team experience will benefit society by helping to build the future scientific work force.