[MBPP Roster]
The Membrane Biology and Protein Processing Study Section will focus on cellular membranes and protein maturation and degradation. Specific topics include membrane biogenesis; post-translational modification and protein folding; membrane biology including membrane structure and function; vesicular membrane traffic; transport of small molecules across membranes; cell stress response; metabolic pathways including lipid metabolism; degradative processes and proteolytic mechanisms of programmed cell death and apoptosis. Signaling mechanisms regulating these processes would also be appropriate.
Specific areas include, but not limited to MBPP:
- Regulation, functions and mechanisms of protein maturation, including folding, chaperone action, post-translational modification, and proteolytic processing
- Membrane traffic in the endocytic and exocytic pathways; mechanisms of protein quality control and sorting; and mechanisms of vesicle formation, targeting and fusion
- Organization of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids in cell membranes; metabolism and trafficking of lipids; interactions between proteins, glycoproteins, glycolipids, and lipids; regulation of signaling by lipid domains
- Cellular physiology and molecular mechanisms of regulation of ion and small molecule transport across membranes via channels, transporters or gap junctions
- Integrative cell physiology (e.g., stress, metabolism, clocks, cellular modeling)
- Degradation of proteins by the ubiquitin/proteasome and lysosomes; limited proteolysis by caspases and calpains; and degradation of extracellular matrix and other macromolecules
- Mechanisms of necrosis and apoptosis, with an emphasis on regulation of caspases, proteolytic pathways responsible for elimination of dead cells, and mitochondrial proteolytic pathways
The MBPP Study Section has the following shared interests within the CB IRG:
With the CSRS Study Section: Post-translational modifications such as ubiquitin/proteasome, sumolation, etc. are areas of shared interest. Applications related to trafficking of modified proteins and modifying enzymes and proteasomal proteolysis could be reviewed by MBPP. Those focused on to the signaling networks regulating these mechanisms in the context of the cell cycle or cell senescence could be reviewed by CSRS.
With the ICI Study Section: Glycobiology is an area of shared interest. ICI is a primary home for glycobiology applications, with MBPP providing a secondary home. Applications focused on intracellular glycosylation processes involving trafficking along the secretory pathway could be reviewed by MBPP. Those focused on cell surface and cell adhesion related glycosylation processes could be reviewed by ICI.
With the CSF Study Section: Intracellular trafficking and membrane structure are an area of shared interest. Applications focused on general trafficking processes could be reviewed in MBPP. Those focused on trafficking processes that emphasize the association with the cytoskeleton could be reviewed in CSF.
With the MIST Study Section: Cell signaling mechanisms including lipid signaling are an area of shared interest. Applications focused on the translocation or recycling of signaling molecules or complexes could be reviewed in MBPP. Those focused on general molecular and biochemical aspects of signal transduction pathways could be reviewed in MIST.
With the NDT Study Section: Intracellular trafficking is an area of shared interest. Applications focused on general cytoplasmic trafficking processes could be reviewed by MBPP. Those focused on trafficking into and out of the nucleus could be reviewed by NDT.
The MBPP study section has the following shared interests outside the IRG:
With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics IRG [BCMB] IRG: Shared areas of interest are membrane architecture; membrane protein structure; function of membrane proteins including channels, receptors and membrane-associated enzymes; and protein folding, assembly into macromolecular complexes and their function. If the focus is a high-resolution structural or biophysical understanding, assignment could be to BCMB. If the focus is a biological understanding, assignment could be to MBPP.
With the Digestive Diseases [DIG] IRG: Shared areas of interest include mechanisms of signal transduction, polarized vesicle-mediated membrane trafficking, secretion and absorption, intercellular junctions, apoptosis, epithelial barrier function and the physiology of ion channels and transporters. If the focus is on the physiology of the digestive system, assignment could be to DIG. If the focus is its use as model system to understand basic cellular processes or function, assignment could be to MBPP.
With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies IRG [BST IRG]: Shared areas of interest include microscopic imaging of fixed and live cells, and computational modeling. If the focus is on the development of new imaging technologies or computational methods, the assignment could be to BST. If the focus is the use of imaging technologies or computational methods to answer questions related to cell biological processes, assignment could be to MBPP. An application that combines bioengineering and cell biology could be assigned according to the focus of the research.
With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics IRG (GGG): Shared areas of interest are protein synthesis and post-translational modifications, encompassing ubiquitination leading to protein degradation; and signal transduction pathways. If the focus is on the fundamental mechanisms regulating gene expression at transcriptional and translational levels, assignment could be to the GGG IRG. If the focus is on protein function and folding and protein-protein interactions, assignment could be to the MBPP study section.
With the Immunology [IMM] IRG: Shared areas of interest are signal transduction as it relates to ion fluxes at the cell surface and intracellular stores; intracellular sorting and vesicle-mediated trafficking of membrane proteins and lipids and the post-translational modifications that regulate these processes. If the focus is on cellular processes restricted to lymphocytes and other cells of the immune system, or on answering an immunological question, assignment could be to the IMM IRG. If the focus is on conserved cellular processes common to various cell types, including cells of the immune system, or on answering a general cell biological question, assignment could be to MBPP.
With the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology IRG (IDM): Shared areas of interest are protein synthesis and post-translational modifications; protein secretion, localization and assembly into macromolecular complexes; and intercellular signaling and communication. If the focus is on those prokaryotes that emphasize the pathogenicity of eukaryotic microorganisms, assignment could be to the IDM IRG. If the focus is on using eukaryotic model systems to examine conserved cellular processes, assignment could be to MBPP.
With the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience IRG (MDCN): Shared areas of interest include general aspects of cell biology; membrane structure; the molecular regulation of membrane (protein and lipid) trafficking along the exocytotic, endocytic and recycling pathways; localization and function of transporters, receptors and ion channels; apoptosis; and intracellular signaling processes If the focus is on the physiology of the nervous system, assignment could be to MDCN. If the focus is on its use as a model system to elucidate basic cellular processes and mechanisms related to membrane biology, structure, trafficking, receptors or ion channels, assignment could be to MBPP.
With the Oncological Sciences IRG (ONC): Shared areas of interest are signal transduction pathways regulated by protein kinases, phosphatases and other proteins; post-translational modifications such as ubiquitinylation and sumoylation that regulate protein stability; apoptosis; membrane specializations such as caveolae and lipid rafts; and glycosylation. If the focus is on cancer biology, the assignment could be to ONC. If the focus is the elucidation of basic cellular processes and mechanisms, assignment could be to MBPP.
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