Quantitative single molecule analysis of conformational dynamics in a GPCR signaling system - Reza Vafabakhsh

Event Details:

Tuesday, February 9, 2016
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10:00am to 11:00am PST
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Lisa Gounod
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Stanford Neurosciences Institute
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Quantitative single molecule analysis of conformational dynamics in a GPCR signaling system Reza Vafabakhsh, PhD Postdoctoral Scholar University of Berkeley - Isacoff Lab

Stanford Neurosciences Institute Molecular Neuroscience Junior Faculty Candidate

Abstract:  Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are members of the group C family of GPCRs and are responsible for the regulation of neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission across the CNS. In this seminar, I will present our work on developing quantitative methods to probe the conformation of mammalian mGluRs at the single protein level and I will describe a general model for the activation of mGluRs. I will then discuss the quantitative analysis of the complexity of the mGluR activation process among structurally similar subtypes. Next I will present our results on quantifying the conformational dynamics of a potassium channel, a model system for downstream effector of the GPCR signaling. Finally, I will discuss how this experimental strategy should be widely applicable to quantitatively study conformational dynamics in GPCRs and other membrane protein complexes.