This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The broad, long range goal of this project is to develop a detailed understanding of the molecular properties of spectrin and its role in red cell membrane deformability and stability. Spectrin is a heterodimer of alpha and beta subunits composed of spectrin repeats that associate head to tail at a specific nucleation site. We have crystallized the interaction domains between the alpha and beta subunits and would like to elucidate this interaction. It is hoped that this will lead to a greater understanding of the role of spectrin in conferring elasticity in red blood cells and how it is compromised in certain forms of human anemias.
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