Biophysical Characterization of Interactions Between Two Membrane Proteins: SERCA and Sarcolipin

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Persistent link to this item

Statistics
View Statistics

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Title

Biophysical Characterization of Interactions Between Two Membrane Proteins: SERCA and Sarcolipin

Published Date

2017-05

Publisher

Type

Thesis or Dissertation

Abstract

Understanding the structures and interactions of proteins that interact with membranes has many implications. Membrane proteins play roles in the transfer of necessary materials and information between cells and their environments as well as within cells (e.g., between the cytosol and organelles). As such, they currently constitute more than half of all drug targets, and some peptides, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are also being investigated for their therapeutic use in treating bacterial infections for humans. However, studying the structures of membrane proteins has proven more challenging compared to soluble proteins. This is due to the necessity of including the membrane or a good membrane mimic to ensure the integrity of the membrane protein remains intact, as poor mimics or no membrane can detrimentally affect membrane protein structure and function. Some proteins, like the AMP chionodracine, are highly amenable to study with methods such as solution NMR spectroscopy (Chapter 2), but larger membrane proteins prove challenging or impossible to measure in solution due to the molecular weight limitations and frequently do not crystallize easily either. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy (ssNMR) has helped to overcome these obstacles and more methodology continues to be developed expanding the application of ssNMR. For example, Chapters 3 and 4 of this thesis describe new ssNMR methods using the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum (SERCA) and sarcolipin (SLN), respectively. SERCA and SLN form a crucial complex in the membrane of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscles cells. Muscle relaxation is largely controlled by SERCA pumping calcium out of the cytosol using energy from ATP hydrolysis, and SLN inhibits SERCA as well as uncouples the ATP hydrolysis and calcium transport. SLN’s effect on SERCA leads to more heat production, which may be important to thermogenesis in mammals as well as an additional mechanism to control energy expenditure. Chapter 5 primarily uses ssNMR with the goal to better understand the mechanism by which SLN inhibits and uncouples SERCA. Overall, gaining a better understanding of how SERCA is regulated will aid in developing therapies for diseases resulting from improper calcium cycling.

Description

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. May 2017. Major: Biochemistry, Molecular Bio, and Biophysics. Advisor: Gianluigi Veglia. 1 computer file (PDF); x, 183 pages.

Related to

Replaces

License

Collections

Series/Report Number

Funding information

Isbn identifier

Doi identifier

Previously Published Citation

Other identifiers

Suggested citation

Dicke, Alysha. (2017). Biophysical Characterization of Interactions Between Two Membrane Proteins: SERCA and Sarcolipin. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/188849.

Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.