The Latest Biology News And Medical NewsBiology News 2Health News 2Biology News 3Health News 3
HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Simulations unravel outer membrane transport mechanism

Using X-ray data and advanced computer simulation and visualization software, researchers at the University of Illinois have painstakingly modeled a critical part of a mechanism by which bacteria take up large molecules. Their findings provide a rare window on the complex interplay of proteins involved in the active transport of materials across cell membranes.

Their study, which includes a collaborator from the University of Virginia, appears online in the Biophysical Journal and was described in the May 25 edition of Science.

Transporting large molecules, such as vitamin B12, citric acid or other vital nutrients across the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria is not a simple task. The cells must be selective in what substances they take up, and the outer membrane contains no energy-generating machinery to power the job of hauling large molecules inside.

The new study examined an outer membrane transport system that depends on an energy-generating inner membrane protein, TonB. This TonB-dependent transporter (TBDT) contains a beta-barrel domain: a series of parallel sheets that form a tunnel through which large molecules can pass. Another region of the protein, the luminal domain, clogs this barrel until the cell is ready to allow large molecules to pass through.

Crystallographic studies had shown that TonB binds to one end of the luminal domain. Researchers had hypothesized that TonB somehow draws the luminal domain out of the barrel or changes its conformation to make way for the large molecules.

Previous studies had been inconclusive, however. Molecular biologists have difficulty studying systems that involve complex interactions between proteins, particularly when one domain moves into and out of a structure like a beta-barrel, said biochemistry professor Emad Tajkhorshid, principal investigator on the study. Its very difficult to assess this experimentally because they have to look at the accessibility
'"/>

Contact: Diana Yates
diya@uiuc.edu
217-333-5802
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
5-Jun-2007


Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. UCR biologists unravel the genetic secrets of black widow spider silk
2. Scientists unravel clue in cortisol production
3. University of Alberta researchers unravel intricate animal patterns
4. Microfossils unravel climate history of tropical Africa
5. Algae toxin identification unravels fish-kill mystery
6. UCLA researchers unravel a mystery about DNA
7. UGA scientists unravel molecular inch-worm structure of walking-pneumonia bacterium
8. Researchers unravel DNA tangles and enzyme seamstresses
9. UW scientists unravel critical genetic puzzle for flu virus replication
10. University of Arizona/BIO5 plant scientists to unravel maize genome
11. MSU entomologist appointed to unravel mysterious tropical disease

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Simulations unravel outer membrane transport mechanism

(Date:11/22/2009)...herited gene deletion can increase the likelihood ...splantation, an international team of researchers ... Nature Genetics . When the gene, called UGT2B17,... the recipient,s, transplants have a significantly...aft-versus-host disease, in which immune cells fro...
(Date:11/22/2009)... the Brain Research Centre, a partnership of the U...and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, h...by which brain cells die following a stroke, as we...results of the study were recently published onlin...ny brain cells continue to die even after blood fl...
(Date:11/20/2009)... report published in the November 2009 issue of th...scientists show how a family of genes (1-aminocycl... responsible for production of ethylene. This gas ...s information lays the foundation for future genet...istant, able to survive and thrive in difficult te...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Gene mismatch influences success of bone marrow transplants 2Gene mismatch influences success of bone marrow transplants 3Gene mismatch influences success of bone marrow transplants 4New understanding about mechanism for cell death after stroke leads to possible therapy 2It's a gas: New discovery may lead to heartier, high-yielding plants 2Cellzome Technology Used to Unravel Novel Regulatory Mechanism in Cancer Signaling Pathway 14104 1Cellzome Technology Used to Unravel Novel Regulatory Mechanism in Cancer Signaling Pathway 14104 2Scars of Bullying Linger 57417 1Forman Perry Watkins Krutz 26 Tardy Announces Take Nothing Verdict in Mississippi Asbestos Exposure Trial 57412 1Forman Perry Watkins Krutz 26 Tardy Announces Take Nothing Verdict in Mississippi Asbestos Exposure Trial 57412 2
(Date:11/23/2009)... Contec’s Sporicidin disinf...ve hospital-grade disinfectants against H1N1 and I...g, SC (PRWEB) November 24, 2009 -- Contec Inc, the...s announced that their Sporicidin disinfectants ...ll Influenza A viruses, including Pandemic 2009 H1...
(Date:11/23/2009)...MOUNTAINVIEW,Calif.,Nov.23/PRNewswire/--Frost&...carecompaniesfordemonstratingleadershipandinnovati...areInnovationAwardsBanquetheldinSanAntonio,Texas. ...0081117/FSLOGO ) ,, TheHealthcareInnovationAwar...ibutiontothedeliveryandmanagementofhealthcare.Such...
(Date:11/20/2009)..., , , , , , , ,... , AUDIO: , A team of scientists fro...ty of Arizona, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and I...NA of corn. The... , , Click here... , , , , , , , ...
(Date:11/20/2009)..., SEATTLE, Nov. 20 Den... that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ...s amended Biologics License Application (BLA) for ...se. The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User...e it will respond to Dendreon,s amended BLA. Dend...
Breaking Biology Technology:Sporicidin Brand Disinfectant Kills H1N1 in 3 Minutes 2Excellence in Healthcare Innovation Recognized by Frost & Sullivan 2Excellence in Healthcare Innovation Recognized by Frost & Sullivan 3Amaizing: Corn genome decoded 2Amaizing: Corn genome decoded 3Amaizing: Corn genome decoded 4Dendreon Receives FDA Acknowledgement of Complete Response 2Dendreon Receives FDA Acknowledgement of Complete Response 3
Other News:
... be ...genetically predisposed to developing sever...own ...the genes responsible. Now, a specific regi....chromosome by a consortium of researchers working...ychiatry and behavioral sciences at the ...Stanfor...
...andards and Technology (NIST) have created a stand...onmental scientists studying our everyday exposure..... Although a "standard house dust" may sound funn...t the potential for household grime to harbor harm...
...the diagnosis and treatment of two debilitating ch...rder (BD) and a syndrome called severe mood dysreg...s were measured during mildly frustrating situatio...tal Health (NIMH), of the National Institutes of H...
...ngly focuses on the environmental damage caused by...riations in the amount of greenhouse gas emissions... for.... Researchers funded by the Economic and So...University found that the climate change impact of...
Stanford-led study closes in on genes that may predispose some people to severe depression 2Stanford-led study closes in on genes that may predispose some people to severe depression 3Standardized house dust aids health researchers 2Extreme irritability -- is it childhood bipolar disorder? 2Extreme irritability -- is it childhood bipolar disorder? 3Traveling in the right direction -- lessening our impact on the environment 2
...ing a patented gene vector developed by the Univer...na-led research team is the first to...show that g...ls. This landmark...study, which paves the road f....March 16 issue of the Proceedings of the National...
...tions that hog operations in North Carolina have.b...nities across the state and.in areas with more non... North.Carolina at Chapel Hill study concludes... ...mental Health Sciences'.Environmental Justice Prog...
...ing glowing bacteria, scientists at the DuPont Co....ensive biosensors that rapidly.detect a key toxin ....environmental contaminants, including herbicides ...easier to pre-screen for potential.contaminants, i...
... .WHERE: The Wistar Institute, Joseph N. G...l 8, 1999, 7:30 a.m.. The Mitchell Ross Sym... Tumors of Childhood. 8:45 a.m. Sessi...ake Forest University School of Medicine. 9...
University Of Pittsburgh Involved In First Successful Example Of Gene Therapy For Pain Control 2University Of Pittsburgh Involved In First Successful Example Of Gene Therapy For Pain Control 3Research Reveals Environmental Injustice In N.C. Communities With Large Hog Farms 2Research Reveals Environmental Injustice In N.C. Communities With Large Hog Farms 3Glowing Bacteria: DuPont And UD Scientists Detect Poultry Toxin And Other Environmental Contaminants 2Wistar Institute To Host 3rd International Conference On Molecular And Clinical Genetics Of Childhood Renal Tumors And The Mitchell Ross Symposium 2