Analysis of the interaction of septins from Schistosoma mansoni with membrane models.

• Grant number: 17/09905-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: September 01, 2017
• End date: February 28, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Ana Paula Ulian de Araujo
• Grantee: Marina Gabriel Fontes
• Supervisor: Amy S. Gladfelter
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 16/13961-7 - Interactions of Schistosoma mansoni septins with membrane models, BP.MS

Abstract

Septins are GTP-binding proteins that can form hetero-oligomeric polymers. Even though these proteins are involved in numerous cellular processes, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that drive polymerization and membrane binding, especially in non-human septins.Schistosoma mansoni, one of the species esponsible for the neglected disease schistosomiasis, contains only four septin genes. Previous results from our research group have shown that septins of S. mansoni are capable of binding to membrane models. Provided this information, we could use S. mansoni as a simpler model for septin study. This proposal intends to investigate the septin-membrane binding process and further elucidate current issues related to this process. The candidate proposes to assess the binding specificity of septins to different phospholipids, the importance of membrane curvature to the binding and the influence of GTP/GDP binding on the protein-membrane interaction. A collaboration with Prof. Amy Gladfelter's group, a highly experienced one in the field, would benefit the advances expected for the candidate's project.