Cell Structure and Function-1 – CSF1

Topics

• Protein function, processing, assembly, folding, misfolding/aggregation, quality control (chaperones), targeting and degradation; post-translational modifications associated with protein processing; the ubiquitin/proteasome system; mechanism of autophagy.
• Transport of small molecules/ions across cell membrane via channels and transporters; ionic and electrochemical gradients across membranes.
• Synthesis, genetic regulation, transcription/translation, localization, assembly, trafficking, turnover, and degradation of channels, receptors, transporters, sensory transduction machinery, and second messenger system components.
• Mechanisms of cell division; mitosis, meiosis and cytokinesis, centromere, centrosome, centriole, basal body, mitotic spindle, kinetochore, microtubules, motor proteins, chromatin organization and dynamics, chromosome movement, cohesion, chromosomal crossover, synaptonemal complex, aneuploidy.
• Cell shape and motility; mechanical properties and forces of cells, cell polarity, cell adhesion, cadherins, cell migration, biology of the extracellular matrix, matrix metalloproteinases.
• Endocytosis, exocytosis and membrane recycling, vesicle-mediated trafficking, cargo sorting, vesicle formation, targeting and fusion; membrane biogenesis; Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER); proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids in cell membranes; metabolism and trafficking of lipids; membrane fusion.
• Organelle biogenesis, chloroplasts, mitochondria, peroxisomes, autophagosomes, vacuoles, lysosomes, Golgi Apparatus; inter-organelle communication.
• Cytoskeletal organization and dynamics; Structure, function, modification, assembly, and regulation of cytoskeletal proteins.
• Nuclear organelles, nuclear envelope, Lamins, Nuclear pore complex (NPC), nucleocytoplasmic transport; targeting, translocation, and processing of newly synthesized proteins and cargos, mRNA and ribosome trafficking.

Shared Interests and Overlaps

There are shared interests in ubiquitination, autophagy, and post-translational modifications with Cellular Signaling and Regulatory Systems (CSRS). Applications that emphasize studying programmed cell death and cell survival are reviewed in CSRS. Applications that emphasize cellular mechanisms of autophagy are reviewed in CSF1. Applications that emphasize role of ubiquitination in cell regulation are reviewed in CSRS. Applications that emphasize ubiquitination mechanisms as post-translational protein modification and a role in protein-trafficking, protein degradation, and proteostasis are reviewed in CSF1. Applications that emphasize regulation of cell division such as cell cycle and checkpoints are reviewed in CSRS. Applications that emphasize dynamics of cellular structures in mechanism involved in cell division are reviewed in CSF1.

There are shared interests in protein folding/misfolding/aggregation, autophagy, and mitochondrial biology with Cellular Mechanisms in Aging and Development (CMAD).  Applications that emphasize understanding basic mechanisms of these biological processes including the biogenesis and structure/function of mitochondria are reviewed in CSF1. Applications that emphasize mitochondrial dysfunction in aging are reviewed in CMAD.

There are shared interests in membrane biology with Biochemistry and Biophysics of Membranes (BBM).  Applications that emphasize organization and interaction of proteins, carbohydrate and lipids in membrane biogenesis or membrane fusion are reviewed in CSF1. Applications that emphasize structural and functional analysis of membranes and membrane fusion using biophysical and computational approaches are reviewed in BBM.

There are shared interests in the areas of RNA biology and protein synthesis with the Molecular Genetics (MG).  Applications that emphasize ribosome membrane association to understand protein trafficking are reviewed in CSF1. Applications that emphasize genetic and molecular biology aspects of RNA metabolism, ribosome biogenesis, and mRNA translation are reviewed in MG.

There are shared interests in endocytosis, exocytosis, membrane recycling, and second messenger systems with Neuronal Communication (NC).  Applications studying cell biology of protein targeting, trafficking, and cellular metabolism are reviewed in CSF1.  Applications that emphasize role of these in neuronal communication and neural circuitry are reviewed in NC.

There are shared interests in studies of protein folding/misfolding with Macromolecular Structure and Function B (MSFB). Applications using cell biological approaches to study basic principles and regulation of protein folding/misfolding and its role in cell biological processes are reviewed in CSF1. Applications using mainly molecular and biophysical approaches are reviewed in MSFB.

There are shared interests in studies of cytoskeletal and motor proteins with Macromolecular Structure and Function C (MSFC).  Applications that emphasize organization, assembly, and regulation of these proteins in intracellular organization and function as well as their role in cell division are reviewed in CSF1. Applications that emphasize structure-function and biophysical properties of cytoskeletal and motor proteins are reviewed in MSFC.