DNA Origami Assembly for the Tar Chemoreceptor: Difference between revisions
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==DNA Origami as an Assembly Method for Tar Chemoreceptor== | ==DNA Origami as an Assembly Method for Tar Chemoreceptor== | ||
<StructureSection load=' | <StructureSection load='' size='340' side='right' caption='Human chemotaxis protein CheA complex with chemotaxis protein CheW and methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein 2 (PDB code [[3ja6]])' scene=''> | ||
This project centers around the idea of using DNA origami to assemble the Tar chemoreceptor. This assembly method would provide novel opportunities to investigate how this receptor works previously untestable using other assembly methods | This project centers around the idea of using DNA origami to assemble the <scene name='80/800127/3ja6_centered_3/1'>Tar chemoreceptor</scene>. This assembly method would provide novel opportunities to investigate how this receptor works previously untestable using other assembly methods. | ||
== Introduction to Chemotaxis == | == Introduction to Chemotaxis == | ||
Chemotaxis is the process by which bacteria sense chemicals in their environment. This is done through the use of chemoreceptors to sense a chemical gradient that they can follow towards higher concentrations of food or away from higher concentrations of poisons or other unfavorable conditions. The Tar chemoreceptor is involved with the sensing of aspartate, a common amino acid, by binding aspartate in the extracellular portion of the protein and then propagates a signal down the receptor to activate a pathway to alter movement. | Chemotaxis is the process by which bacteria sense chemicals in their environment. This is done through the use of chemoreceptors to sense a chemical gradient that they can follow towards higher concentrations of food or away from higher concentrations of poisons or other unfavorable conditions. The '''Tar chemoreceptor''' is involved with the sensing of aspartate, a common amino acid, by binding aspartate in the extracellular portion of the protein and then propagates a signal down the receptor to activate a pathway to alter movement. | ||
== Possible Applications of Chemotaxis == | == Possible Applications of Chemotaxis == | ||
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==Attachment to DNA== | ==Attachment to DNA== | ||
The protein receptor dimer is <scene name='80/800127/ | The protein receptor dimer is <scene name='80/800127/Zoomed_in_connection_color_ct/1'>attached to tetrahedron</scene> using NTA-functionalized DNA. This means that the DNA has an NTA, or nitrilotriaceticacid, is able to coordinate with nickel ions, shown in green, which is also able to coordinate with histidines. The Tar chemoreceptor has six histidines added to the N-terminus of the protein ''in vitro'', which should be able to coordinate with the nickel ion as well, creating a coordination complex. One of monomers, shown in black, in each dimer is coordinated with the nickel atom. | ||
==Significance of Assembly Method== | ==Significance of Assembly Method== | ||