Identification of the Accessory Proteins Involved in Protein Trafficking
(Dr. Sharon Braunagel and Dr. Qi Ding)

Current Research Projects:

Qi Ding's current model for the inner nuclear membrane (INM) protein trafficking is diffusion-retention: proteins diffuse freely through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), outer nuclear membrane (ONM) and INM, the interaction with nucleoplasmic components is the only factor to keep proteins residing in INM.  However, our previous data show that at least in insect cells, INM protein trafficking is a multi-step protein regulated process.  Qi studies the trafficking of two mammalian INM proteins Lamin B receptor and Nurim.  Using site-specific crosslinking approach she is trying to identify the accessory protein(s) involved in the trafficking process.