Meeting Report: Structural Determination of Environmentally Responsive Proteins Leslie Reinlib Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA Abstract The three-dimensional structure of gene products continues to be a missing lynchpin between linear genome sequences and our understanding of the normal and abnormal function of proteins and pathways. Enhanced activity in this area is likely to lead to better understanding of how discrete changes in molecular patterns and conformation underlie functional changes in protein complexes and, with it, sensitivity of an individual to an exposure. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences convened a workshop of experts in structural determination and environmental health to solicit advice for future research in structural resolution relative to environmentally responsive proteins and pathways. The highest priorities recommended by the workshop were to support studies of structure, analysis, control, and design of conformational and functional states at molecular resolution for environmentally responsive molecules and complexes ; promote understanding of dynamics, kinetics, and ligand responses ; investigate the mechanisms and steps in posttranslational modifications, protein partnering, impact of genetic polymorphisms on structure/function, and ligand interactions ; and encourage integrated experimental and computational approaches. The workshop participants also saw value in improving the throughput and purity of protein samples and macromolecular assemblies ; developing optimal processes for design, production, and assembly of macromolecular complexes ; encouraging studies on protein-protein and macromolecular interactions ; and examining assemblies of individual proteins and their functions in pathways of interest for environmental health. Key words: Environmental Genome Project, gene-environment interactions, protein structure, structural biology. Environ Health Perspect 113:1622-1626 (2005) . doi:10.1289/ehp.8129 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 13 July 2005] Address correspondence to L. Reinlib, Susceptibility and Population Health Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Room 3453, 79 TW Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233 USA. Telephone: (919) 541-4998. Fax: (919) 316-4606. E-mail reinlib@niehs.nih.gov I thank P. Jennings for chairing the meeting and P. Mastin and D. Balshaw for their contributions and energy in organizing the workshop. I am also deeply indebted to the workshop participants for their thoughts and enthusiasm in producing the recommendations discussed in this article and for critical readings of the manuscript. The author declares he has no competing financial interests. Received 18 March 2005 ; accepted 13 July 2005. The full version of this article is available for free in HTML or PDF formats. |