Membrane trafficking is a major cellular mechanism for the regulation of surface expression of plasma membrane proteins. Recently, a carboxyl terminus motif, FREKLAYAIA, has been shown to control the internalization of the dopamine transporter (DAT), a critical protein in synaptic transmission. Sequence comparison across BLAST identified a similar carboxyl motif, SREKLQYSIP, in the leak potassium channel KCNK3. The current study tested whether this motif was necessary and sufficient for the internalization of the channel. Our results suggest that the carboxyl terminus of KCNK3 is sufficient for the internalization of an endocytic deficient reporter molecule (Tac), and that the SREKLQYSIP motif may be necessary for this internalization.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Eno, Marsha R.
• Orthodoxou, Demetra

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042507-085122

Advisor

• Ryder, Elizabeth F.

Year

• 2007

Sponsor

• Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute-UMass

Date created

• 2007-04-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry
• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-02-02