SVIBOR - Project code: 1-03-171

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
E-mail: ured@znanost.hr

SVIBOR

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Project code: 1-03-171


Predicting Structure and Function of Membrane Polypeptides


Main researcher: JURETIĆ, DAVOR (19290)


Assistants
Type of research: basic
Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/31/96.
Papers on project (total): 30
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 15
Institution name: Fakultet prirodoslovno matematičkih znanosti i odgojnih područja, Split (177)
Department/Institute: Department of Physics, Natural Sciencies and Arts Department, University of Split
Address: N. Tesle 12
City: 21000 - Split, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)21587133
Phone: 385 (0)21591438
Phone: 385 (0)21587009
Fax: 385 (0)21362431
E-mail: juretic"mapmf.pmfst.hr
Summary: Several theoretical methods for predicting structure and function of membrane-bound peptides and proteins will be developed. Our development of one new possibility for predicting protein secondary structure, based on the introduction of preference functions, will make possible to achieve high accuracy in predicting secondary structure of integral membrane proteins. Preference functions are introduced in the predictive algorithm as functions of geometrical, statistical or physical folding parameters. Optimal folding parameters and optimal performance parameters will be found during next stage of this work. The work is also in progress in collecting new evidence that group of recently dicovered membrane-active peptide antibiotics, called magainins, is acting reversibly, cooperatively and sinergeticaly in decreasing the membrane potential of cytochrome c oxidase liposomes. Nonlinear kinetic models for the activity of membrane-bound proton pumps, such as cytochrome c oxidase, will be also examined.

Keywords: membrane proteins, secondary structure, preference functions, performance parameters, prediction accuracy, amino acid scales, conformational parameters, protein folding problem, membrane-active peptides, magainins, cytochrome c oxidase, liposomes, membrane potential, kinetic models, non-linearity, free-energy transduction, control, intrinsic uncoupling, degree of coupling

Research goals: Several theoretical methods for predicting structure and functionof membrane-bound peptides and proteins will be developed.Expected results are better understanding how folding motifs inmembrane-bound polypeptides emerge during protein folding processin membrane environment and how such polypeptides perform theirperturbing or beneficial function. During past three years, themethod, named preference functions method, has been developed inour laboratory and shown to be competitive with the bestavailable methods for predicting secondary structure of membraneproteins. Research goal in the next period will be to findoptimal conformational parameters, performance parameters andprotein data bases for standard applications of our predictionscheme. The structure and function of membrane-active peptides,such as magainins, will be further examined, in the light of ourdiscovery that membrane-bound magainin oligomers reversiblyinhibit cellular free-energy transduction. Quantitative structure-activity and structure-physical property relationships will befound for some small peptides. Nonlinear kinetic models forcytochrome c oxidase proton pumping activity with variableintrinsic uncoupling will be also constructed.

COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: Institut "Ruđer Bošković"
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS


  1. Name: Paketi FORTRAN programa PREF 2.0 i PREF 3.0 (PREF-SPLIT)
    Type of achievement: Other
    Authors: Davor Juretić, Bono Lučić

  2. Name: CROPROT datoteka od oko 200 integralnih membranskih proteina
    Type of achievement: Other
    Authors: Davor Juretić, Bono Lučić

  3. Name: JURAAS datoteka od oko 100 skala svojstava aminokiselina
    Type of achievement: Other
    Authors: Davor Juretić
Other information about the project.
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