9217413 Giedroc The collective research interests of the primary investigators concern the study of peptide and protein structure and molecular recognition. The mode of metal coordination and overall structure of two gene regulatory zinc metalloproteins (zinc-finger proteins) which interact with nucleic acids will be determined. Conformational studies of bound substrates and structural changes which result in autophosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase domain of the human insulin receptor are proposed to study catalysis by this class of enzymes. NMR structural studies of nucleated -sheets and model -sandwich proteins are planned to understand the fundamental rules that govern the formation of -sheet secondary structures in proteins. Finally, structural studies of synthetic conformationally constrained peptidomimetics of bio-active peptides, e.g., opiate antagonists and active site peptides as candidates for viral protease inhibitors, are proposed. The request NMR instrumentation will be a component of the Center for Macromolecular Design of the Institute of Biosciences and Technology at Texas A&M University. As a major goal of the Center is the recruitment, support, and teaching of outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students, the proposed instrumentation will be used to enhance and expand their educational experience in the area of protein structure.
