Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) are single-pass transmembrane proteins that control cell growth, differentiation, motility, and metabolism. They are very promising drug targets, but the incomplete understanding of the activation mechanism of the RTKs in the membrane hinders the development of effective and safe therapies. This proposal is dedicated to the development of new methodologies that can quantify molecular interactions and can move the field forward.
In Aim 1, we will develop a combined Number and Brightness (N&B) and Frster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) methodology that yields both the oligomer size and the dissociation constants for full length RTKs in live cells.
In Aim 2, we will develop a fluorescence-based methodology that yields molecular ligand binding constants for full-length RTKs in live cells. Along with enabling the acquisition of new knowledge by the broad scientific community, the work in the aims will yield new insights into critical aspects of the signaling by the RTKs used in method development.

Public Health Relevance

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) are very promising drug targets, but the incomplete understanding of their activation mechanism hinders the development of effective and safe therapies. This proposal is dedicated to the development of new methodologies that can quantify RTK molecular interactions and can move the field forward. Along with enabling the acquisition of new knowledge by the broad scientific community, the proposed work will yield new insights into critical aspects of RTK signaling.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01GM068619-14
Application #
9831826
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Preusch, Peter
Project Start
2004-05-01
Project End
2023-06-30
Budget Start
2019-09-24
Budget End
2020-06-30
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Biomed Engr/Col Engr/Engr Sta
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21205
Singh, Deo R; Kanvinde, Pranjali; King, Christopher et al. (2018) The EphA2 receptor is activated through induction of distinct, ligand-dependent oligomeric structures. Commun Biol 1:15
King, Christopher; Wirth, Daniel; Workman, Samuel et al. (2018) Interactions between NRP1 and VEGFR2 molecules in the plasma membrane. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr 1860:2118-2125
King, Christopher; Raicu, Valerica; Hristova, Kalina (2017) Understanding the FRET Signatures of Interacting Membrane Proteins. J Biol Chem 292:5291-5310
Wiedman, Gregory; Kim, Sarah Y; Zapata-Mercado, Elmer et al. (2017) pH-Triggered, Macromolecule-Sized Poration of Lipid Bilayers by Synthetically Evolved Peptides. J Am Chem Soc 139:937-945
Singh, Deo R; Ahmed, Fozia; Sarabipour, Sarvenaz et al. (2017) Intracellular Domain Contacts Contribute to Ecadherin Constitutive Dimerization in the Plasma Membrane. J Mol Biol 429:2231-2245
King, Christopher; Wirth, Daniel; Workman, Samuel et al. (2017) Cooperative interactions between VEGFR2 extracellular Ig-like subdomains ensure VEGFR2 dimerization. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 1861:2559-2567
Del Piccolo, Nuala; Hristova, Kalina (2017) Quantifying the Interaction between EGFR Dimers and Grb2 in Live Cells. Biophys J 113:1353-1364
Del Piccolo, Nuala; Sarabipour, Sarvenaz; Hristova, Kalina (2017) A New Method to Study Heterodimerization of Membrane Proteins and Its Application to Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors. J Biol Chem 292:1288-1301
Sarabipour, Sarvenaz; Hristova, Kalina (2016) Mechanism of FGF receptor dimerization and activation. Nat Commun 7:10262
Singh, Deo R; Pasquale, Elena B; Hristova, Kalina (2016) A small peptide promotes EphA2 kinase-dependent signaling by stabilizing EphA2 dimers. Biochim Biophys Acta 1860:1922-8

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