Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Arman Moayed L&S Sciences

Role of Bin-Amphiphysin-Rvs Proteins in Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis

Our project goal is to better understand the role of BAR (Bin-amphiphysin-Rvs) proteins in clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and study their interaction with endocytic branched actin networks, using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism. Most endocytic BAR proteins contain an N-terminal banana-shaped BAR domain that preferentially binds curved membranes and a C-terminal SRC-homology 3 (SH3) domain that interacts with numerous components of the endocytic machinery. BAR proteins are thought to stabilize and scaffold curved membranes as well as facilitate vesicle scission, but exact mechanisms of these functions remain unclear. Specifically, we aim to understand how the BAR protein complex Rvs161/167 facilitates vesicle scission, learn more about how this complexs SH3 domain influences endocytic actin dynamics, and see if this phenomenon is conserved among other similarly-structured endocytic BAR proteins, like the branched actin nucleator Bzz1.

Message To Sponsor

Thank you for this amazing opportunity! Your kindness is inspiring and I hope I can exceed you expectations and make the most of you have provided us.
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Major: MCB
Mentor: David Drubin
Sponsor: Zara Fund
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