Direct visualization of functional basis in voltage-dependent ion-channels

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K06172
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 43040:Biophysics-related
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Shigematsu Hideki 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 放射光科学研究センター, 研究員 (00415928)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: クライオ電子顕微鏡 / 構造生物学 / イオンチャネル / 電位依存性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Conformational change in ion-pore has been revealed directly by using single particle electron cryo-microscopy in this study. The specimen used for image analysis had been utilized in functional analysis by using florescent spectroscopy and it revealed that it can maintain membrane potential in a few minutes. The method here can be applied to any other membrane proteins to see its function on close to physiological environment, liposome.

Free Research Field

生物物理

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

リポソーム上に提示された膜タンパク質の機能構造をクライオ電子顕微鏡で明らかにすることは、今後の医薬品開発への応用や、実際に細胞が機能する現場を捉えるという基礎学問的な意義も重要である。