Membrane-Binding of BAX
Principal Investigator: Annette Khaled, Ph.D.
Department: Biomolecular Science Center
Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Project Title: Identification of Regulatory Domains that Mediate the Membrane-Binding of BAX
Total Project Funding: $1,050,800 (4 years)
Description: BAX is an apoptotic protein of the BCL-2 family that when dysregulated underlies the pathogenesis of a diverse range of disorders, such as cancer, neurodegeneration, autoimmune disease and heart failure. In healthy cells, BAX resides in the cytosol, but during apoptosis BAX translocates to mitochondria, initiating events that trigger cell death. Little is known about the biological sequela of events that leads to the activation of BAX. We propose that death-inducing stimuli initiate a novel signaling pathway that activates p38 MAP kinase and a pH-regulating membrane protein, the sodium hydrogen exchanger (NHE).
Quote: BAX is a protein found in most cells of the body. When activated, BAX causes the death of cells. Our grant will help us in the development of novel strategies for the therapeutic manipulation of BAX in human diseases.
