Visual transduction begins with absorption of a photon by rhodopsin. Photoisomerization of the chromophore must somehow signal the photoreceptor synapse to alter its release of transmitter onto second-order neurons. This signal is produced by the cyclic GMP- activated ion channel. This ion channel then converts the signal of light into an electrical signal the brain can understand. This proposal focuses on cGMP-activated ion channels. I will examine structural rearrangements that occur in response to cGMP that are coupled to channel activation. I will use the following tools to study how this protein works; electrical recordings, to assay the flux of ions through the pore of the protein; molecular biology to alter the amino acid sequence of the protein and test specific models of its function; and protein chemistry to study interactions between domains of the proteins, between subunits, and between the channels and other cellular proteins. Through these experiments I expect to gain significant insight into how the cGMP-activated ion channels function during visual transduction.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32NS047937-01A1
Application #
6836893
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F03B (20))
Program Officer
Stewart, Randall R
Project Start
2004-09-01
Project End
2006-08-31
Budget Start
2004-09-01
Budget End
2005-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$42,976
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195