Antibiotic resistance is a looming public health crisis. New antibiotics with new mechanisms of action are desperately needed. The long-term goal of this research is to develop new drugs that disarm bacteria to overcome the problem of antibiotic resistance.
Enhancing The Cardioprotective Effect Of Diadenosine Tetraphosphate: Designing Inhibitors Against Ap4A Hydrolase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,500.00
Summary
Ischemia describes the condition where blood flow in the blood vessels of the heart is decreased or blocked, preventing delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the heart. Ischemic preconditioning is a phenomenon where short bursts of ischemia, followed by reperfusion, actually protect the heart from a subsequent longer period of ischemia. The biochemical signalling events involved in preconditioning are complex and incompletely defined, but most likely involve multiple pathways, although the mitocho ....Ischemia describes the condition where blood flow in the blood vessels of the heart is decreased or blocked, preventing delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the heart. Ischemic preconditioning is a phenomenon where short bursts of ischemia, followed by reperfusion, actually protect the heart from a subsequent longer period of ischemia. The biochemical signalling events involved in preconditioning are complex and incompletely defined, but most likely involve multiple pathways, although the mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium channel may be in common with most pathways. Pretreatment with the compound diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) mimics ischemic preconditioning with noticeable reductions in tissue necrosis (cell death). This treatment has been shown in experimental work to protect the heart during periods of stress such as in heart surgery or recovery from an ischemic event. The biological site of action by Ap4A may be the mitochondria ATP-dependent potassium channel or an associated protein. Ap4A can be degraded by enzymes located inside and on the outside of heart cells, notably by two forms of Ap4A hydrolase. We will use antibody assays to understand the specific localization and amount of Ap4A hydrolase before and after ischemia and after ischemic preconditioning in human heart muscle and blood vessels. We propose to determine the structure of the enzyme and use novel computer methods to screen databases for potential inhibitors. These inhibitors of Ap4A hydrolase activity could aid the design of a potent inhibitor that would prevent Ap4A hydrolase from degrading Ap4A and therefore enhance the cardioprotective properties of Ap4A as well as minimizing side effects from the break down of Ap4A. We will also use these inhibitors and other known non-degradable Ap4A analogues in bioassays to test the relative significance of Ap4A hydrolase present in different cellular locations.Read moreRead less
Design and engineering of proteins for biotechnology and biomedicine. The primary aim of this application is to enhance the thermodynamic and folding properties of proteins by redesign and engineering. The structures and folding behaviour of the redesigned proteins will be characterised using X-ray crystallography and biophysical techniques. The expected outcomes of this project are: engineering of new proteins that can be used in biotechnology, medical and pharmaceutical applications, or basic ....Design and engineering of proteins for biotechnology and biomedicine. The primary aim of this application is to enhance the thermodynamic and folding properties of proteins by redesign and engineering. The structures and folding behaviour of the redesigned proteins will be characterised using X-ray crystallography and biophysical techniques. The expected outcomes of this project are: engineering of new proteins that can be used in biotechnology, medical and pharmaceutical applications, or basic research; fundamental insights into protein design and engineering; and a wealth of knowledge on the factors that dictate protein stability and folding.Read moreRead less