Biophysical studies of bifunctional peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase

Active Project Grant Awarded Last action

Award ID
2504133
Recipient
Awarding agency
Obligated
$724,746

Award facts

Assistance listing
47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Completion date 39% complete
Place of performance
Tampa, FL 33620, USA

Award details come from USAspending.gov.

Description

Abstract
With the support of the chemistry of life processes (CLP) program in the division of chemistry, DR. Merkler from the university of south florida (USF), DR. Dempsey from boston university, and DR. Richards from the foundation for molecular evolution are investigating peptidylglycine ?-monooxygenase (PAM), the enzyme responsible for making a diverse family of neuropeptides in humans and many other organisms. Their experimental procedures will provide the first understanding of how full-length PAM binds to biologically relevant neuropeptide precursors. In addition, their work will provide new insights into the interaction of PAM and the molecular precursor for atrial natriuretic peptide (pro-ANP), setting the scene for discovering why PAM is present in tissues that do not make neuropeptides. The project will provide training for a number of graduate, undergraduate, and high school students in the use of a broad array of modern biochemical methods. The results of these studies will form the basis for a series of interactive, in-person talks at the museum of science and industry (mosi), located close to the USF campus, that will be tailored for students in grades 3-5, 6-8, or 9-12, and members of the general public. These talks will aim to not only improve scientific literacy in florida but also inspire young people to pursue scientific research in neuroscience and medicine. This research project will provide a detailed molecular understanding of how the full-length, bifunctional form of PAM is able to recognize and modify a wide range of neuropeptide precursors as substrates. They will also provide the first information about how the dynamical properties of PAM impact both catalytic mechanism and communication between the two active sites, which are located in different domains of the enzyme. In addition, we will explore the structural basis of how bifunctional PAM binds to pro-ANP, a peptide that is not a substrate for the enzyme. Our studies will yield the first molecular understanding of the PAM/pro-ANP complex, test current hypotheses about the importance of this complex for cells in tissues that do not make or secrete ?-amidated peptides. These project objectives will be accomplished using a multidisciplinary approach that combines biochemical assays, peptide synthesis, hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) measurements, computational modeling, and cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.

Transactions

Action Obligated Date
Amendment $35,496
Original award $689,250

Subawards

Subrecipient Amount Awarded
Trustees Of Boston University Biophysical Studies of Bifunctional Peptidylglycine alpha-Amidating Monooxygenase $28,956
Foundation For Applied Molecular Evolution, Inc. $42,344

Quick answers

Who received award 2504133?

2504133 was awarded to University Of South Florida by Division of Chemistry (National Science Foundation) on September 1, 2025.

How much is award 2504133 worth?

$724,746 has been obligated on 2504133.

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