Presented by: Loren Hough, University of Colorado, Boulder

Abstract: Intrinsically disordered proteins are flexible polymers that play a wide variety of vital cellular roles. Their disruption leads to a wide range of diseases, from cancer to neurodegeneration. Disordered proteins present a fascinating enigma; how they can be so important for cell function while remaining flexible and highly dynamic rather than forming well-defined structures? One role of intrinsically disordered proteins is to form the primary filter of the nuclear pore complex.  This remarkable filter allows the selective passage of some macromolecules while inhibiting the passage of others. We combine nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy within living cells, bench-top experiments and analytical models to show that binding to flexible filaments can give rise to unexpected diffusive properties that contribute to motion through biological filters.

Coffee, tea, and cookies will be available starting at 3:45 p.m., in DUAN G1B31.