UROP Project

proteasome, microsporidia, proteolysis, ATPase, drug target

Research Mentor: Dr. Antonia Nemec, she/her/hers
Department, College, Affiliation: Biomedical Sciences, Medicine
Contact Email: antonia.nemec@med.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Robb Tomko
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS)
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: Minimum of 5-10 hours per week,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

Microsporidia are a family of spore-forming obligate intracellular parasites that infect most animals, including humans. Microsporidia are a pathogen of increasing health interest to humans. Although they typically only infect people with compromised immune systems, the widespread prescribing of immunosuppressants for diverse human conditions (i.e., autoimmune diseases) is resulting in a recent uptick in the number of human cases of microsporidiosis. Despite this growing threat from microsporidia, there are currently zero FDA-approved treatments for these parasites. Our group is interested in studying the highly unusual proteasome of microsporidia, as a potential drug target for treatment of microsporidiosis. The proteasome, a large, complex multi-subunit protease, is responsible for the degradation of unwanted or unneeded proteins and maintains protein homeostasis in all eukaryotic cells. The proteasome is a validated drug target and there are several FDA-approved drugs used as chemotherapies. Microsporidia have a highly divergent proteasome (m26S) and may be distinct enough that it can be targeted with a drug that would not have an appreciable effect on the human proteasome. At present, there is no high-resolution structural information of the m26S. In this project, we will begin studies into one of the three sub-complexes of the m26S, the mBase, the sub-complex that contains the ATPases that unfold the proteins as they are fed into the chamber of the proteasome for degradation. Any differences between the m26S and the human 26S can serve as potential targets for treatment of microsporidiosis.

Research Tasks: Molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification; standard yeast genetic and cell work

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Any lab experience is recommended for sophomores. This would include lab courses within the undergraduate curriculum (i.e., CHM1045L, CHM1046L, etc.). Freshmen would not be expected any lab experience.