The exocyst is an octameric protein complex known for its role in vesicle tethering during exocytosis. While the complex is critical to vesicle tethering and related exocytotic events, biochemical analyses have not yet elucidated the mechanisms underlying these processes nor details of the complex’s assembly. This MQP makes use of the simulation software, SpringSaLaD, to understand whether exocyst assembly occurs prior to or following association with the phosphoinositides of the plasma membrane. Preliminary findings suggest the presence of PI(4,5)P2 to influence an increase in exocyst complex formation at equilibrium and may inform a model where assembly occurs following association with the plasma membrane.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Byrne, Chloe

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 107461
• E-project-050123-150838

Advisor

• Vidali, Luis

Year

• 2023

Date created

• 2023-05-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

Source

• E-project-050123-150838

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2024-04-04