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Mechanistic studies of ABC importers in pathogenic bacteria

Award Number: R35GM158705
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2030

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Mechanistic studies of ABC importers in pathogenic bacteria - PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal seeks to understand how proteins located in the cell membrane work as gatekeepers to selectively allow compounds into or out of the cell. Such gatekeepers are known as or ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, because they use the energy of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) hydrolysis to transport compounds across the cell membrane. Bacterial ABC importers are essential for organism survival, controlling the rate of uptake for nutrients scavenged from the bacterium’s environment. Control of the rate of transport precludes over-accumulation of a nutrient that is beneficial at low concentrations but is potentially toxic at high concentrations. While a subset of ABC proteins contains an additional “accessory” domain that can regulate the uptake of compounds by shutting off the transporter, it is unclear why certain transporters contain these domains while others do not. However, we do understand that certain transporters are “turned off” when a specific compound or protein binds to this accessory domain. Other accessory domains regulate by “sensing” changes in the microenvironment and reacting accordingly. To decipher this mechanism of regulation, the PI’s laboratory combines biochemical and biophysical experiments with structural biology to understand how both the overall architecture and transport mechanism restricts or allows nutrients to enter the cell. This research program will define the molecular mechanism that controls nutrient uptake and allow researchers to understand how multiple transport systems work in concert within an organism to maintain cell survival. With a focus on a broad range of ABC transporters that recognize diverse substrates and fit into the two classes (Type I/Type II), we will continue to examine how topology and selectivity are the driving forces in virulence. This research program has set out to close critical gaps in the understanding of the fundamentals of the transport mechanism present in all bacteria. The results will yield insights into how regulatory domains modulate transport across all organisms, crucial for cell v iability .


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $498,778 )
2025	2025	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	9/12/2025	NEW	$498,778
														Subtotal = $498,778

Grand Total All Awards = $498,778

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Mechanistic studies of ABC importers in pathogenic bacteria

Award Number: R35GM158705

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2030

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