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Telling a molecular story: Tangible models of Cdc42 interacting with Intersectin
Author(s) -
Jeske Sabine,
Chau Angela H.,
Giles Kurt,
Colton Shandoah A.,
Reis Julie
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1045.1
Subject(s) - gtpase , cdc42 , function (biology) , dock , computer science , visualization , nanotechnology , computational biology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , materials science , artificial intelligence , biochemistry
Information transfer within the cell relies upon signaling pathways made up of interacting proteins. Rho‐family GTPases are GTP‐binding proteins, which function as molecular switches initially in the “off” state. Interactions with activators turn these GTPases “on” and they then interact with other proteins, leading to a variety of cellular behaviors such as directed movement and changes in cell shape. Traditional methods for visualizing protein structures and interactions are often limited in the amount of information that can be conveyed in two dimensions. Using the rapid prototyping technology at the Milwaukee School of Engineering's Center for BioMolecular Modeling, we have built tangible 3D models of the Rho GTPase Cdc42 in complex with one of its activators. Our model shows the interaction of Cdc42 with the catalytic domains of intersectin, based upon the published crystal structure solved by Snyder, et al (PDB , Nature Structural Biology 2002; 9(6): 468–475). Along with computer visualization tools, tangible 3D models allow students and scientists alike to more fully explore the intricacies of protein interactions. The SMART (Students Modeling A Research Topic) program was established by the Center of BioMolecular Modeling at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and involves partnerships between university researchers and local high schools. This work is funded by NIH‐NCRR‐SEPA and HHMI.