Physical Models of transcription factors activated via histidine kinase two‐component signal transduction signaling pathways

Abstract

The 2009 Pingry S.M.A.R.T. Team (Students Modeling A Research Topic) has been working with Ann Stock of the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine at UMDNJ ‐ R .W. Johnson Medical School to design and produce accurate, physical models of transcription factors activated via histidine kinase two‐component signal transduction signaling pathways using rapid prototyping (RP) technology. Two‐component signal transduction, based on phosphotransfer between a histidine protein kinase and response regulator protein, is the most prevalent multi‐step signaling strategy in bacteria. The project focused on the conserved regulatory and effector domains in response regulator proteins and the conformational changes that accompany phosphorylation‐induced activation. Discussions with the Stock lab allowed students, using RP‐RasMol to design models of E. coli PhoB and M. tuberculosis MtrA to highlight structural and functional characteristics. The physical models which serve as "communication tools" used to enhance the understanding and applications among the scientific community. Contributing this tool to the Stock laboratory, the students have had unique opportunity to experience and participate in the activities of a research laboratory. Work is supported by grant awarded to T.Herman by the NIH NCRR SEPA and HHMI.