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Show 68 James Daly college of science The human brain can store a fantastic amount of information in the form of memories. One of the ways the brain creates memories is by opening and closing neuron channels, allowing ions such as sodium and potassium to flow into the neuron and create signals. The opening and closing of neuron channels is controlled by receptors located on the channel. Some of the channels can be activated if their receptor is bound to the chemical glutamate, and these specific receptors are called N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Unfortunately, if these NMDA receptor neuron channels are left open too long, too many ions enter the neuron and the neuron dies. Neuron death by overstimulation has been shown to be a major process in the progression of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative diseases. A selective NMDA receptor inhibitor could save these neurons and thus help patients. Venomous cone snails that live in the ocean produce a dangerous cocktail of toxins which they use to hunt fish and defend themselves against predators. One specific toxin from this venom, Conantokin-Bkb (Con- Bkb), binds to NMDA receptors and stops ions from flowing into the neuron. Con-BkB has precisely the properties needed to prevent neuron death. To study exactly how Con-Bkb works, I am creating a picture of what it looks like while bound to a NMDA receptor. Mammalian DNA has been modified and inserted into E. coli plasmid DNA to construct a protein expression vector. It was then transformed into E. coli cells which were able to build the NMDA protein by using instructions encoded in the expression vector. However, the cells make very little usable, soluble protein. Efforts are underway to enrich this functional form of the protein. X-ray crystallography will be used develop a picture of the NMDA protein in complex with Con-Bkb. This information will then be used to design drugs to block neuron channels and combat neurodegenerative diseases. USING NATURAL SNAIL VENOM TO LOOK FOR DRUGS TO CURE NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES James Daly (Martin Horvath) Department of Biology University of Utah UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Martin Horvath |