# Molecular Studies of Chemoreception

> **NIH NIH R37** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA · 2020 · $589,752

## Abstract

Receptors that mediate chemotaxis in Escherichia coli are paradigms for the large family of bacterial
sensory receptors and a larger family of "two-component' receptors. This application for an extension of my
MERIT Award for its second five years focuses on functional mechanisms and structures of chemoreceptors
and the signaling complexes they form. This focus is consistent with the NIGMS mission of basic research
that increases understanding of life processes and lays the foundation for medical advances. Studies will
emphasize E. coli chemoreceptors and utilize biochemical, mutational, biophysical, and structural
approaches. Some approaches involve collaborative efforts with other research groups and most exploit
advantages of chemoreceptors inserted in Nanodiscs, water-soluble plugs of lipid bilayer surrounded by a
protein annulus, which are effective for manipulating bilayer-inserted receptors. Specific aims address
issues central to understanding chemoreceptors. 1) Structure and conformational changes of signaling of
the chemoreceptor dimer, the fundamental receptor organizational and functional unit. Receptor structure
and conformational changes will be characterized using site-directed spin labeling and electron
paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, ONDP relaxometry, structural electron microscopy including
high-resolution cryo-EM and X-ray diffraction. Results will define the structure of this crucial unit and identify
fundamental mechanisms of receptor intra-molecular and transmembrane signaling. 2) Functional and
structural properties of core signaling complexes, the fundamental unit of kinase activation and control.
Functional characterization of soluble core signaling complexes will provide basic insights into its functional
capabilities, allosteric interactions and kinase activity. Structural properties will be characterized by
biophysical assays, advanced techniques of electron microscopy and, if preliminary results merit, X-ray
crystallography. In summary, the proposed research aims to substantially advance our understanding of
bacterial chemoreceptors, a paradigm for biological sensory signaling.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9898376
- **Project number:** 5R37GM029963-37
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA
- **Principal Investigator:** GERALD L. HAZELBAUER
- **Activity code:** R37 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $589,752
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-04-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9898376

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9898376, Molecular Studies of Chemoreception (5R37GM029963-37). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9898376. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*