# Project 3 - The Critical Role of  Membrane Transport

> **NIH NIH P01** · TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE RESEARCH · 2021 · $521,216

## Abstract

Project Summary – Project 3 – Targeting the Critical Role of Membrane Transporters
Mtb is an intracellular pathogen and thus is surrounded by a host cell. Because of this immersive
environment, Mtb membrane proteins constitute a direct functional interface between the pathogen and
its host. They sense the environment and control entry of nutrients and other molecules (including many
drugs) into, and exit from the organism. Thus, they offer a ‘gateway’ for small molecule therapeutics.
However, to date, there are only two high-resolution structures of Mtb integral membrane proteins due in
part to the difficulty of expression, purification and crystallization of membrane proteins, and to the lack
of focus onto Mtb. We have developed a general method to prioritize integral membrane proteins
identified as viable drug targets, essential genes, or critical virulence factors in Mtb. Our priorities continue
to be ranked in collaboration with members of the consortium, using preliminary drug targeting and
virulence screening data. Building on our expertise developed as a national center, we have also
developed robust methods to express, purify and crystallize integral membrane proteins for structure
determination by X-ray crystallography, and by electron cryo-microscopy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10242863
- **Project number:** 5P01AI095208-08
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert M Stroud
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $521,216
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-09-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10242863

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10242863, Project 3 - The Critical Role of  Membrane Transport (5P01AI095208-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10242863. Licensed CC0.

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