Project description
Oligo-squaramide structures as a synthetic transmembrane signalling receptors
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are transmembrane proteins that bind ligands at their extracellular region to promote a conformational change, transferring signal into the cytosol. Squaramides (SQs) are a family of conformationally rigid cyclobutene ring derivatives. The EU-funded SQSig project aims to exploit the self-assembly properties of SQs to create a relay of information through a bilayer membrane. Monomeric SQs self-assemble as head-to-tail aggregates, oriented in the same direction. Functionalising the terminal SQ of an oligo-SQ relay with a binding site and the opposite end with a spectroscopic reporter will recreate a synthetic GPCR, able to transmit conformational information from one side of a bilayer membrane to the other.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
Coordinator
M13 9PL Manchester
United Kingdom
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