The Third RGS Protein Colloquium

描述（由申请人提供）：真核生物中最常用的信号转导机制涉及七种激活异源三聚体G蛋白的跨膜受体。G蛋白介导大量信号分子的作用，包括神经递质、激素、细胞因子、大多数药物和成瘾性药物，以及视觉和嗅觉。1996年，G蛋白信号传导调节因子（regulatory of G Protein Signaling， RGS）蛋白被发现是G蛋白信号传导机制的一个基本组成部分。人类体内存在数十种RGS蛋白。它们由终止信号的G蛋白GTPase激活域定义，但通常具有多个其他域，其功能是积极研究的主题。本申请为将于2008年4月4日至5日在加州圣地亚哥举行的第三届RGS蛋白质研讨会寻求支持。该研讨会将是2008年实验生物学会议的附属会议。它与这个大型会议的联系确保了讨论会的高水平宣传，并将通过方便出席来增加参与。财政支持将用于资助演讲者参加会议的旅费，并通过降低成本来鼓励年轻科学家的参与。RGS蛋白质讨论会是唯一一个专门讨论RGS蛋白质的会议，为该领域的研究人员提供了一个重要的论坛，让他们相互交流，其中大多数是年轻的和/或这个快速发展的领域的新手。一群杰出的演讲者已经承诺参加研讨会，其中包括RGS领域的知名领导者以及新的研究人员。将从会议注册人中选择一组额外的演讲者，为年轻或新进入该领域的研究人员提供更多机会。两个海报会议将为更多的年轻科学家提供展示他们工作的机会，也将促进所有与会者之间的互动。会议将专门讨论以下主题：1)RGS的结构/功能；2) RGS靶向/细胞定位；3)新颖的交互/功能；4) RGS在体内的作用。会议材料将通过会议网站向公众提供，以增加讨论会的影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The most commonly used signal transduction mechanism in eukaryotes involves seven transmembrane receptors that activate heterotrimeric G proteins. G proteins mediate the effects of a vast array of signaling molecules including neurotransmitters, hormones, cytokines, the majority of pharmaceutical and addictive drugs, as well as the senses of vision and olfaction. In 1996, Regulators of G Protein Signaling (RGS) proteins were discovered as a fundamental component of the G protein signaling mechanism. Dozens of RGS proteins exist in humans. They are defined by a G protein GTPase activation domain that acts to terminate signaling, but often have multiple other domains whose functions are the subject of active investigation. This application seeks support for the Third RGS Protein Colloquium, to be held April 4-5, 2008 in San Diego, CA. The Colloquium will be satellite of the Experimental Biology 2008 conference. Its association with this massive conference ensures a high level of publicity for the Colloquium and will increase participation by making attendance convenient. Financial support will be used to fund travel to the meeting by speakers, and to encourage the participation of young scientists by reducing their costs. The RGS Protein Colloquia have emerged as the sole meeting devoted to RGS proteins, and provide an essential forum to allow investigators in this field to interact with each other, most of them young and/or new to this fast-growing field. A group of outstanding speakers have already committed to the Colloquium, including established leaders in the RGS field as well as new investigators. A set of additional speakers will be chosen from among meeting registrants to provide more opportunities for investigators who are young or new to the field. Two poster sessions will provide opportunities for yet more young scientists to present their work and also will facilitate interaction among all attendees. Sessions at the meeting will be devoted to the following topics: 1) RGS structure/function; 2) RGS targeting/cellular localization; 3) Novel interactions/functions; 4) RGS action in vivo. Meeting materials will be made available to the public via the conference web site to increase the impact of the Colloquium.