20.109:TR Red Mod4 research proposal

Overview
We want to create a better way to measure the conformational state of an ion channel. We propose tagging an ion channel protein with GFP such that it will only fluoresce when the channel is in a one conformational state. Possible ideas for creating this conformational differentiability are circularly-permutated GFP and FRET pair geometry.

Background
Ion channels and other membrane transport proteins play a crucial role in a cell's interaction with its environment. A lot of interest has been placed in the study and tracking of ion channels, particularly in neurons, because of this. While methods exist to track the conformation of an individual channel (patch clamping), there is currently no way to look at the conformation of different channels on a systems level. Previous research has been successful in tagging K+ ion channels while maintaining the function of the channel (Kupper, 1998); however, the addition of a conformation dependent tag has not yet been done. Having a conformation-dependent fluorescent channel will be useful as it will allow better tracking of opening and closing of ion channels throughout the entire cell, or potentially even the entire tissue.

Statement of the Problem
It is currently difficult to determine whether ion channels in a cell are open or closed. Patch clamping is able to measure this for one ion channel at a time, but it would be ideal to measure this noninvasively for every ion channel of a specific type in a cell.