This MERIT extension remains focused on the development and application of novel fluorescence methods to measure solute mobility and interactions in live cells and tissues.
The aims of the research are a direct extension of ongoing work to understand the determinants of extracellular space (ECS) diffusion and volume (Aim 1), plasma membrane protein diffusion (Aim 2) and protein-protein interactions (Aim 3).
In Aim 1, novel optical methods will be applied to study regulated ECS diffusion, volume and ionic homeostasis in brain and tumor. We will apply microfiberoptic methods, polarization correlation microscopy, and K'^-sensing fluorescent indicators to study ECS regulation in brain and tumor, addressing questions regarding the microviscosity of the extracellular matrix, the dynamic changes in ECS volume and [K*] during neural signal transduction, and the influence of cellular crowding on macromolecule diffusion in the ECS.
In Aim 2, single-molecule fiuorescence methods will be applied to investigate the determinants of membrane protein translational and rotational diffusion. Building on quantum dot-single particle tracking (SPT) studies of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channels, we will use multi-color SPT and quantum rod polarization correlation microscopy to investigate the determinants of AQP4 translational and rotation diffusion in live cells, and to study AQP diffusion in lamellipodia of migrating cells and the determinants of AQP4 supramolecular assembly.
In Aim 3, single-molecule fluorescence methods will be applied to investigate protein-protein interactions of membrane water and ion transporters. We have implemented methodology to quantify protein-protein interactions in live cells, including multicolor SPT, two-color FCS, and super-resolution microscopy. Building on our recent studies of AQP water channels and CFTR Cl channels, we will investigate the size and dynamics of AQP4 supramolecular assembly, and the cytoskeletal and other interacting proteins of AQP4 and CFTR. These data will provide molecular-level information about the mechanisms and biological consequences of AQP4 and CFTR protein-protein interactions. In addition, the proposed studies will establish novel and widely applicable methodology to measure protein dynamics and interactions in cell plasma membrane and in the extracellular space.

Public Health Relevance

Our research involves the development and application of novel microscopy methods to study protein dynamics and interactions in live cells. The research addresses basic mechanistic questions about the extracellular space in brain and tumor, and how water and ion channels are regulated and assembled at cell membranes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37EB000415-23
Application #
8827336
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Conroy, Richard
Project Start
2012-04-01
Project End
2017-03-31
Budget Start
2015-04-01
Budget End
2016-03-31
Support Year
23
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$416,377
Indirect Cost
$146,877
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
Smith, Alex J; Verkman, Alan S (2018) The ""glymphatic"" mechanism for solute clearance in Alzheimer's disease: game changer or unproven speculation? FASEB J 32:543-551
Duan, Tianjiao; Smith, Alex J; Verkman, Alan S (2018) Complement-dependent bystander injury to neurons in AQP4-IgG seropositive neuromyelitis optica. J Neuroinflammation 15:294
Lee, Sujin; Cil, Onur; Diez-Cecilia, Elena et al. (2018) Nanomolar-Potency 1,2,4-Triazoloquinoxaline Inhibitors of the Kidney Urea Transporter UT-A1. J Med Chem 61:3209-3217
Tradtrantip, Lukmanee; Felix, Christian M; Spirig, Rolf et al. (2018) Recombinant IgG1 Fc hexamers block cytotoxicity and pathological changes in experimental in vitro and rat models of neuromyelitis optica. Neuropharmacology 133:345-353
Phuan, Puay-Wah; Veit, Guido; Tan, Joseph-Anthony et al. (2018) ?F508-CFTR Modulator Screen Based on Cell Surface Targeting of a Chimeric Nucleotide Binding Domain 1 Reporter. SLAS Discov 23:823-831
Verkman, Alan S; Yao, Xiaoming; Smith, Alex J (2018) The evolving mystery of why skeletal muscle is spared in seropositive neuromyelitis optica. J Cell Mol Med 22:2039-2040
Verkman, Alan S; Smith, Alex J; Phuan, Puay-Wah et al. (2017) The aquaporin-4 water channel as a potential drug target in neurological disorders. Expert Opin Ther Targets 21:1161-1170
Yao, Xiaoming; Verkman, Alan S (2017) Marked central nervous system pathology in CD59 knockout rats following passive transfer of Neuromyelitis optica immunoglobulin G. Acta Neuropathol Commun 5:15
Lee, Sujin; Phuan, Puay-Wah; Felix, Christian M et al. (2017) Nanomolar-Potency Aminophenyl-1,3,5-triazine Activators of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Chloride Channel for Prosecretory Therapy of Dry Eye Diseases. J Med Chem 60:1210-1218
Verkman, Alan S; Tradtrantip, Lukmanee; Smith, Alex J et al. (2017) Aquaporin Water Channels and Hydrocephalus. Pediatr Neurosurg 52:409-416

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