How the Golgi's COG complex helps move and modify proteins inside cells
Characterization of mammalian COG complex-interacting Golgi trafficking machinery
The team will look at how a protein complex called COG controls protein traffic in human cells to better understand conditions like congenital glycosylation disorders, Alzheimer’s changes, and some cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310153 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will map how the COG complex physically connects with other proteins that guide cargo through the cell's Golgi "shipping center." They will use lab-based methods such as pairwise interaction tests, timing (kinetic) measurements, and proximity-labeling to see which partners are nearby. The team will also study what happens when COG is reduced and specific transport vesicles build up. These experiments are done in cells and biochemical systems to reveal molecular steps that could go wrong in disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with congenital disorders of glycosylation, certain forms of dementia, or cancers might be the kinds of patients who could benefit from or be included in follow-up studies based on these findings.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatments should not expect direct benefit from this basic laboratory research, since it focuses on cellular mechanisms rather than clinical interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets or biomarkers that lead to future diagnostics or therapies for certain genetic glycosylation disorders, neurodegeneration, or cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Related molecular-mapping methods have uncovered disease mechanisms before, but detailed pairwise mapping of COG interactions and their kinetic environment is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Little Rock, United States
- Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis — Little Rock, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lupashin, Vladimir V — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Lupashin, Vladimir V
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.