Reference number : GC-2017-Q1-03526, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Blunck, Rikard (Université de Montréal), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Quebec|Québec, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Discovery Grants Program - Individual, program name french : Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles, program purpose english : The cell wall, or cell membrane, is composed of a double-layered lipid film and proteins, functional macromolecules that control electrical signals and substrate transport in and out of the cell. Membrane proteins also sense external stimuli and trigger signaling cascades in the inside. Until recently, the lipid membrane itself was considered mainly a passive matrix that separates the cell interior from the exterior. However, recently, it became increasingly clear that the composition of the lipid membrane influences the functioning of the proteins. This also relates to our nutrition; compounds such as cholesterol and omega-3 are known to enter the lipid film, alter its properties and modulate protein function. Conversely, also the proteins embedded in the lipid membrane alter its phase behaviour and form. 
Many proteins oligomerize to larger complexes or clusters. We found recently that clustering of a membrane protein, the proton-gated KcsA channels, is related to deformations of the membrane. In this research program, we investigate the energetics of protein oligomerization and membrane deformations and their implication on protein function. We will directly observe the dynamics of protein oligomerization using single molecule fluorescence, where we can follow the movement of the proteins in an artificial membrane and determine the energy landscape of the clustering process. We will determine the effect of membrane curvature on protein function and oligomerization and characterize which classes of membrane proteins undergo lipid-mediated clustering., program purpose french : The cell wall, or cell membrane, is composed of a double-layered lipid film and proteins, functional macromolecules that control electrical signals and substrate transport in and out of the cell. Membrane proteins also sense external stimuli and trigger signaling cascades in the inside. Until recently, the lipid membrane itself was considered mainly a passive matrix that separates the cell interior from the exterior. However, recently, it became increasingly clear that the composition of the lipid membrane influences the functioning of the proteins. This also relates to our nutrition; compounds such as cholesterol and omega-3 are known to enter the lipid film, alter its properties and modulate protein function. Conversely, also the proteins embedded in the lipid membrane alter its phase behaviour and form. 
Many proteins oligomerize to larger complexes or clusters. We found recently that clustering of a membrane protein, the proton-gated KcsA channels, is related to deformations of the membrane. In this research program, we investigate the energetics of protein oligomerization and membrane deformations and their implication on protein function. We will directly observe the dynamics of protein oligomerization using single molecule fluorescence, where we can follow the movement of the proteins in an artificial membrane and determine the energy landscape of the clustering process. We will determine the effect of membrane curvature on protein function and oligomerization and characterize which classes of membrane proteins undergo lipid-mediated clustering., agreement title english : Studying Dynamics and Energetics of Membrane Protein Oligomerization using Single Molecule Fluorescence, agreement title french : Studying Dynamics and Energetics of Membrane Protein Oligomerization using Single Molecule Fluorescence, agreement number : RGPIN, agreement value : 225000.0, agreement start date : 2017-05-10, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2022-2023), additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2022-2023), owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada