RIG BP: Functional Significance of a Novel Protein Interactor of TRPML2 Protein

智力上的优点。我们的身体感官不断地受到环境信号的轰炸。我们身体中的每个细胞都会翻译这些感觉，这样我们就可以感知和解释它们的含义，比如看到蓝天，闻到春天的花香，品尝我们最喜欢的食物，听到风声，感受警告我们即将到来的危险的温度或疼痛。瞬时受体潜在黏蛋白(TRPML)蛋白家族在细胞内传递环境信号方面发挥着重要作用。TRPML蛋白由三个成员组成，受到与它们物理上相互作用的其他蛋白质的严格调控，并控制它们的细胞活动。本实验室鉴定了三种TRPML蛋白之一的两个候选蛋白对，命名为TRPML2。该项目将确认这些蛋白质相互作用的性质。具体地说，目标是验证它们是否物理上与TRPML2结合，如果是，则绘制相互作用所需的蛋白质结构域。这项研究将显示TRPML2和它的结合伙伴是否在细胞内的同一位置。最后，本研究将确定这些相互作用伙伴在TRPML2活性和细胞功能方面所起的具体作用。这项研究将填补目前关于TRPML2生物学功能的知识空白。该项目将向少数民族和代表性不足群体的研究生和本科生介绍科学方法，并培养他们对科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)的兴趣。该项目将有助于加州州立大学富勒顿生物科学系和首席调查员现有的努力，通过NSF、NIH和HHMI支持的现有少数族裔学生研究项目积极招收学生。它将作为一个平台，通过研究指导或暑期研究实习计划，继续促进学生的科学好奇心和研究兴趣。通过PI与当地高中和附近社区大学建立社区外展活动的倡议，该项目将为这些学校的有才华的学生打开大门，否则他们将没有机会参加暑期研究活动。将大力鼓励研究参与者在该部内以研讨会或海报展示的形式向同行介绍他们的成就，以及在地方和国家会议上展示他们的成就。这样的项目不仅将显著提高研究参与度和科学素养，还将在加州州立大学富勒顿分校的少数族裔和代表性不足群体中促进STEM职业生涯。总体而言，该项目的项目和研究活动将有助于促进不同的青年科学家群体的进步--这一预期结果无疑将造福于当地社区、社会和子孙后代。

Intellectual merits. Our physical senses are constantly bombarded with environmental signals. Each cell in our body translates these sensations so that we can perceive and interpret their meanings such as seeing the blue sky, smelling the blooms in Spring, tasting our favorite meal, hearing the sound of wind, and feeling temperature or pain that warns us of impending danger. The Transient Receptor Potential Mucolipin (TRPML) protein family plays critical roles in communicating environmental signals inside cells. The TRPML proteins consist of three members, and are strictly regulated by other proteins that physically interact with them and control their cellular activity. Two candidate protein partners for one of the three TRPML proteins, named TRPML2, were identified in this laboratory. This project will confirm the nature of the interaction of these proteins. Specifically, the goal is to verify whether they physically bind to TRPML2 and, if so, to map the protein domains that are necessary for the interaction. The research will show if TRPML2 and its binding partners are within the same location inside the cell. Finally, this research will identify the specific role that these interaction partners play in terms of TRPML2 activity and cellular function. This research will fill the current gaps in knowledge regarding the biological function of TRPML2.Broader impacts. The project will introduce graduate and undergraduate students from minority and under-represented groups to the scientific method, and to foster their interests in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The project will contribute to the existing efforts by the California State University Fullerton's Biological Science Department and the principal investigator to actively recruit students through existing NSF-, NIH-, and HHMI-supported minority student research programs. It will serve as a platform to continue promoting scientific curiosity and research interests among students through a research mentoring or summer research internship program. Through the PI's initiative to establish community outreach activities with local high schools and nearby community colleges, the project will open doors for talented students from these schools, who otherwise would not have an opportunity to participate in summer research activities. Research participants will be strongly encouraged to present their accomplishments to their peers in a form of seminars or poster presentations within the department, as well as at local and national meetings. Such programs will not only significantly enhance research participation and scientific literacy, but will also promote STEM careers among minority and under-represented groups at California State University Fullerton. Overall, the project and research activities of the project will contribute to the advancement of a diverse group of young scientists -- an expected outcome that will undoubtedly benefit the local community, society, and future generations.