There is an urgent need to develop new drugs to treat human leishmaniasis, a disease that causes debilitating and life-threatening diseases in millions of people worldwide. This project will investigate whether it is possible to develop a new generation of drugs that target a novel metabolic pathway in these parasites that we have shown to be essential for virulence.
The Role Of Protein Glycosylation In The Malaria Parasite
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$644,428.00
Summary
The parasites that cause malaria have unique proteins on their surface that are essential for infection of humans. These proteins are useful for making vaccines to train our immune system to recognize and block infection by the malaria parasite. Our latest research has shown that these proteins are modified with sugars that enhance parasite virulence. We are studying these modifications more closely to facilitate the development of improved malaria vaccines.
Characterization Of Novel Human UDP Glycosyltransferases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,750.00
Summary
Our defense against the toxic effects of small organic molecules is mediated by families of enzymes found in the internal membranes of cells, predominantly in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Many small organic molecules, such as environmental pollutants, carcinogens and therapeutic drugs, are fat-soluble and will accumulate in the body to toxic levels unless they are modified by the addition of water-soluble groups. The modified chemical, in the majority of cases, is less toxic and readily ....Our defense against the toxic effects of small organic molecules is mediated by families of enzymes found in the internal membranes of cells, predominantly in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Many small organic molecules, such as environmental pollutants, carcinogens and therapeutic drugs, are fat-soluble and will accumulate in the body to toxic levels unless they are modified by the addition of water-soluble groups. The modified chemical, in the majority of cases, is less toxic and readily removed from the body. One aim of this project is to identify and characterize newly discovered enzymes in the family that uses sugar residues to modify and eliminate fat-soluble chemicals. Their involvement in the detoxification process and how they are controlled in the cell will be determined. These are the final enzymes in this family remaining to be characterized in humans. In addition to foreign chemicals and toxins, this enzyme family also regulates the intracellular concentrations of signalling molecules such as steroid hormones and chemicals that bind to gene regulatory proteins. Defects and-or variations in these enzymes may alter the levels of these signalling molecules and lead to uncontrolled cell growth (cancer) or cell death. A second aim of this project is to determine whether these novel enzymes are involved in controlling signal concentrations and to determine whether inherited variations in these enzymes will alter the signalling process.Read moreRead less