A5042074787- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Cancer, Lipids, and Metabolism
- Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
- Enzyme Structure and Function
- Cell death mechanisms and regulation
- Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Computational Drug Discovery Methods
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Enzyme function and inhibition
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Proteins in Food Systems
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Digital Holography and Microscopy
- Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Diffusion and Search Dynamics
- Diet and metabolism studies
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
Rice University
2018-2021
University of Houston
2020
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
2017-2019
Indian Institute of Chemical Biology
2016-2018
The University of Texas at Austin
2018
Self-assembly of plasma membrane-associated Ras GTPases has major implications to the regulation cell signaling. However, structural basis homo-oligomerization and fractional distribution oligomeric states remained undetermined. We have addressed these issues by deciphering dimers higher-order oligomers K-Ras4B, most frequently mutated isoform in human cancers. focused on constitutively active G12V K-Ras two its variants, K101E K101C/E107C, which respectively destabilize stabilize oligomers....
Plasma membrane (PM) curvature defines cell shape and intracellular organelle morphologies is a fundamental property. Growth/proliferation more stimulated in flatter cells than the same elongated shapes. PM-anchored K-Ras small GTPase regulates growth/proliferation plays key roles cancer. The lipid-anchored form nanoclusters selectively enriched with specific phospholipids, such as phosphatidylserine (PS), for efficient effector recruitment activation. function may, thus, be sensitive to...
Abstract RAS mutations account for >15% of all human tumors, and these ~85% are due to in a particular gene: KRAS . Recent studies revealed that harbors four druggable allosteric sites. Here, we have (a) used molecular simulations generate ensembles wild type major oncogenic mutants (G12V, G12D, G13D, Q61H); (b) characterized the druggability each pocket protein; (c) conducted extensive ensemble‐based virtual screening using pocket‐tailored ligand libraries; (d) prioritized hits through...
The conformation, folding and lipid binding properties of the intestinal fatty acid proteins (IFABP) have been extensively investigated. In contrast, functional aspects these are not understood matter debates. this study, we aim to address deleterious effects FA overload on cellular components, particularly mitochondria; how IFABP helps in combating stress by restoring mitochondrial dynamics.In present study aspect under conditions was studied a string extensive in-cell studies; flow...
There has been widespread interest in studying early intermediate states and their roles protein folding. The further emphasized the recent literature because of implications for aggregation. Unfortunately, direct kinetic characterization intermediates difficult limited time resolutions offered by techniques heterogeneity folding aggregation landscape. Even equilibrium experiments, could be (a) populations low and/or (b) they lack any specific biochemical or biophysical signatures...
Genetic switches frequently include DNA loops secured by proteins. Recent studies of the lambda bacteriophage repressor (CI), showed that this arrangement in which protein links two sets three operators separated approximately 2.3 kbp, optimizes both stability and dynamics loops, compared to an with just operators. Because adjacent dimers interact pairwise, we hypothesized odd number each set regulatory system might have evolved allow for semi-specific, pair-wise interactions add loop while...
Achieving mechanistic understanding of transport in complex environments such as inside cells or at polymer interfaces is challenging. We need better ways to image 3-D and single particle tracking algorithms determine that are not systemically biased toward any classical motion model. Here we present an unbiased algorithm: Knowing Nothing Outside Tracking (KNOT). KNOT uses point clouds provided by iterative deconvolution educate individual localizations link positions between frames achieve...
Cell morphologies, defined by plasma membrane (PM) local curvature, change during mitogen-dependent function and pathology, such as growth, division proliferation. The lipid-anchored Ras small GTPases are essential upstream regulators of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) cascades play key roles in many pathological conditions, especially cancer. signaling is mostly compartmentalized to cell PM through formation nanometer-sized domains, termed nanoclusters, undergo selective lipid...