Early evolutionary origins of mechanosensory transduction: structure, function and phylogenetic studies of the family of mechanosensitive channels in cell-walled organisms. [ 2005-01-01 - 2005-12-31 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: A/Prof Boris Martinac (Chief Investigator) ,  Eduardo Perozo (Partner Investigator) ,  Prof Klaus Schulten (Partner Investigator) ,  Prof Paavo Kinnunen (Partner Investigator)

Brief description Early evolutionary origins of mechanosensory transduction: structure, function and phylogenetic studies of the family of mechanosensitive channels in cell-walled organisms. The proposed project is based on the recent progress the applicants have made by (i) identifying a novel family of mechanosensitive (MS) channels in cell-walled organisms, which include Archaea and Bacteria (prokaryotes), as well as fungi and plants (eukaryotes), and (ii) determining basic aspects of the structural dynamics of MscL, the prototype MS channel, using electronparamagnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations in combination with the patch clamp technique. The aim of the project is to elucidate the molecular principles underlying the function of MS channels, which is of fundamental importance for understanding of the biophysics and physiology of mechanosensory transduction throughout the biological world.

Funding Amount $580,000

Funding Scheme Discovery Projects

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