RUI: Phospholipid Synthesis in Protozoa

磷脂是生物膜的主要结构成分，形成脂质双分子层。此外，这些分子在信号转导和囊泡运输中发挥作用，作为蛋白质和碳水化合物的膜锚点，并经常调节酶和转运蛋白质。磷脂酰胆碱（PC）是真核生物膜上的主要脂质，可通过磷脂酰乙醇胺甲基化和cdp -胆碱途径合成。本项目的目的是确定cdp -胆碱途径在利什曼原虫（一种锥虫原生动物）磷脂酰胆碱合成中的作用。几种合成途径对PC的贡献将在培养细胞中进行评估，共聚焦显微镜将用于确定参与PC合成的酶的细胞位置。研究项目的范围还包括表征利什曼原虫中两种cdp -胆碱途径酶的重组形式：胆碱激酶（使胆碱磷酸化形成磷酸胆碱）和CTP（将胞苷核苷酸转移为磷酸胆碱）。更广泛的影响本项目将为磷脂合成提供更多的知识体系，为了解锥虫体内磷脂酰胆碱的合成提供重要的信息。研究的完成依赖于化学、生物化学和/或分子生物学专业的本科生的大量参与。学生将受益于参与独立研究和接触生化和分子生物学实验室技术。该项目的一个主要目标是为学生提供在完成项目后在区域和国家会议上展示研究成果的机会。高质量的研究经历使学生有信心取得成功，并成为他们职业生涯的驱动力。支持针对本科生的研究项目对于保持我国学生在其学术生涯的关键本科阶段成为科学家的热情至关重要。

Phospholipids are a major structural component of biological membranes, forming lipid bilayers. In addition, these molecules play roles in signal transduction and vesicular trafficking, serve as membrane anchors for proteins and carbohydrates, and often regulate enzymes and transport proteins. Phosphatidylcholine (PC), the predominant lipid in eukaryotic membranes, can be synthesized by methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine and via the CDP-choline pathway. The aim of this project is to determine the role of the CDP-choline pathway in phosphatidylcholine synthesis in Leishmania, a genus of trypanosome protozoa. The contribution of several synthetic routes to PC will be evaluated in cultured cells and confocal microscopy will be employed to determine the cellular location of enzymes involved in PC synthesis. The scope of the research project also includes characterization of recombinant forms of two enzymes of the CDP-choline pathway from Leishmania species, choline kinase, which phosphorylates choline to form phosphocholine, and CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase, which transfers a cytidine nucleotide to phosphocholine. Broader ImpactsThis project will contribute to the greater body of knowledge with respect to phospholipid synthesis, providing information important for understanding synthesis of phosphatidylcholine in trypanosomes. Completion of the research relies on significant participation from undergraduate students majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, and/or molecular biology. The students will benefit from participation in independent research and exposure to biochemical and molecular biological laboratory techniques. A major goal of the project is to provide the opportunity for students to present research results at regional and national meetings upon completion of their projects. A quality research experiences gives students the confidence they can succeed and serves as a driving force for the remainder of their careers. Support for research projects that target undergraduates is vital for keeping our nation's students excited about being a scientist at the pivotal undergraduate stage of their academic careers.