Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-II Binding Specificity Of IGF Binding Protein-6: Structural And Functional Studies.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,630.00
Summary
Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) is a protein which is involved in normal growth. However, in some circumstances it may also stimulate cancer growth. IGF binding protein-6 (IGFBP-6) binds to IGF-II and stops its activity. One of the major challenges of modern biology is understanding why some proteins bind to other proteins. Proteins fold in various ways and have specific three-dimensional structures. Two proteins which bind strongly to each other have structures which fit each other like ....Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) is a protein which is involved in normal growth. However, in some circumstances it may also stimulate cancer growth. IGF binding protein-6 (IGFBP-6) binds to IGF-II and stops its activity. One of the major challenges of modern biology is understanding why some proteins bind to other proteins. Proteins fold in various ways and have specific three-dimensional structures. Two proteins which bind strongly to each other have structures which fit each other like a 'lock and key'. The aim of this project is to understand how IGFBP-6 binds to IGF-II by looking at its three-dimensional structure. Using this information, it may be possible to develop new treatments which can inhibit IGF-II activity and therefore may be useful in the treatment of some cancers.Read moreRead less
Proteases are enzymes that degrade other proteins. These molecules are essential for life and drive fundamental processes such as blood clotting and the inflammatory response. Protease dysfunction underlies numerous human diseases, including cancer. This proposal aims to investigate whether structural information can be used to improve our ability to accurately predict the target specificity of proteases.