Nerve cells communicate with one another via chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) which bind to specific receptor proteins on the cell surface. Since many of these transmitters do not penetrate the cell their message is carried by "second messenger" molecules generated in the interior of the cell on signal from the outer surface receptor-neurotransmitter complex. These second messengers are often G-proteins of which there have been a variety identified. The primary aim of this research is to determine which specific G-protein binds to which specific membrane receptor (on its interior aspect) to form the physiologically functional unit. These studies will employ a detergent to permeabilize the membrane to allow the entrance of purified G- proteins and synthetic polypeptides that represent specific regions of the native G-protein. The synthetic segments bind and inhibit inative G-protein binding to the receptor structure. GTP associated with a photo-activated component that binds to the G-protein and irreversibly activates the receptor complex in the presence of the appropriate neurotransmitter will also be used to quantitate neurotransmitter activation. The long-term goal of the research is to identify the specificity of the neurotransmitter processes for specific cell and organ behaviors that lead to our understanding of the molecular processes associated with transmission and storage of information (learning and memory) in the whole organisms.

Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1992-07-01
Budget End
1993-12-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
$56,617
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612