Subunit stoichiometry and arrangement in the glycine receptor. Glycine receptors are important for nervous system function. These receptors comprise a mixture of 5 alpha and beta subunits arranged around a central ion-conducting pore. The subunit stoichiometry (i.e., numbers of alpha and beta subunits) and arrangement (i.e., subunit order) are unknown. The first aim of this project is to define these parameters using tethered subunits. The second aim is to use the tethered subunits to probe th ....Subunit stoichiometry and arrangement in the glycine receptor. Glycine receptors are important for nervous system function. These receptors comprise a mixture of 5 alpha and beta subunits arranged around a central ion-conducting pore. The subunit stoichiometry (i.e., numbers of alpha and beta subunits) and arrangement (i.e., subunit order) are unknown. The first aim of this project is to define these parameters using tethered subunits. The second aim is to use the tethered subunits to probe the structure and function of glycine and zinc binding sites at an unprecedented level of resolution. The results will provide crucial new information concerning glycine receptor structure and function.Read moreRead less
Conantokin selectivity for heteromeric N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. NMDA receptors are ligand gated ion channels formed by heterogeneous population of subunits with distinct pharmacological and biophysical properties. The heterogeneic receptors are differentially expressed during development and play an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. Conantokins are toxins isolated from Conus venoms, which target NMDA receptor subunits with high affinity. The primary g ....Conantokin selectivity for heteromeric N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. NMDA receptors are ligand gated ion channels formed by heterogeneous population of subunits with distinct pharmacological and biophysical properties. The heterogeneic receptors are differentially expressed during development and play an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. Conantokins are toxins isolated from Conus venoms, which target NMDA receptor subunits with high affinity. The primary goal of this study is to examine the effects of conantokins on the molecular properties of different NMDA receptor subtypes in vivo and in vitro.Read moreRead less