The project aims to understand how a factor responsible for the production of a type of white blood cell interacts with its receptor. If we knew the molecular details of how this factor works then we would be able to control better diseases, such as osteoporosis and arthritis, where such cells can play havoc by destroying tissue. The project also has implications for certain leukaemias which lose growth control mechanisms in response to this factor.
Regulators Of G Protein Signalling On The Golgi Complex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$666,116.00
Summary
The secretion of proteins from cells involves a host of regulatory and signalling proteins. G proteins, signal transducers, located on the Golgi membranes, participate in the budding of transport vesicles in the secretory pathway. A newly-discovered family of Regulators of G Protein Signalling (RGS) proteins perform the critical function of turning off signals generated by G proteins. RGS proteins are powerful, but as yet, ill-defined regulatory molecules. In this study we will identify and char ....The secretion of proteins from cells involves a host of regulatory and signalling proteins. G proteins, signal transducers, located on the Golgi membranes, participate in the budding of transport vesicles in the secretory pathway. A newly-discovered family of Regulators of G Protein Signalling (RGS) proteins perform the critical function of turning off signals generated by G proteins. RGS proteins are powerful, but as yet, ill-defined regulatory molecules. In this study we will identify and characterize RGS proteins in macrophages that are located on Golgi membranes and help to regulate cytokine secretion and other immune functions. More detailed studies on selected RGS proteins will include mutational analysis of functional domains within the proteins and identification of other proteins that interact with RGS proteins. Overall these studies will lead us to understand how specific RGS proteins interact with G proteins and other molecules to regulate signalling in the secretory pathway. Anomalies in cell signalling have severe consequences in a variety of diseases and can cause cancer. Similarly, abnormal secretion in cells contributes to inflammation, diabetes and other disease processes. Information forthcoming from our studies on RGS proteins will have wide-reaching implications and the potential to reveal new targets for therapeutics in these diseases.Read moreRead less