Decrypting The Excitation Contraction Coupling Machinery In Skeletal Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$914,869.00
Summary
Skeletal muscle function is dependent upon the fine control of calcium levels. When communication of key proteins in muscle are compromised, calcium levels are uncontrolled leading to severe disabilities. The molecular pathways that control signalling between key muscle proteins is currently unknown and shedding light on this topic will aid in the discovery of therapies for muscle-associated disabilities in disease and with aging.
DHPR ? Subunit Binding To A Variably Spliced Region Of RyR1: A Role In EC Coupling And Myotonic Dystrophy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,892.00
Summary
We have uncovered a communication pathway between two ion channel molecules in muscle cells that underlies human movement. The pathway is critical in normal mobility and is disrupted in myotonic dystrophy. We will study the molecular components of this pathway to understand normal body function and abnormal function in mytotonic dystrophy. The work will facilitate the design of drugs to relieve the mytotonic dystrophy myopathy and form new and much needed class of specific muscle relaxants.
The Effects Of Tonic Muscle Pain On The Sympathetic And Somatic Motor Systems In Human Subjects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,948.00
Summary
The main objective of this proposal is to reveal the effects of nociceptive reflexes in humans, and thus identify their functional and clinical implications. By performing invasive recordings from the nerves that control blood vessels and muscles in healthy volunteers subjected to long-lasting (~1 hour) experimental pain, this work will increase our understanding of the adaptive changes that pain induces and improve treatments to prevent pain from becoming chronic.
Interactions Between The ? And ? Subunits Of The DHPR - A Missing Link In Skeletal Muscle Excitation-contraction Coupling And A Role In Sarcopenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$690,832.00
Summary
Calcium signaling is disrupted in muscle diseases, including muscle weakness in the elderly. This is a significant problem as all mobility depends on calcium signaling and its disruption can cause serious disability and death. To alleviate defective calcium signaling, the underlying molecular machinery must be fully understood, yet we have only a broad outline of the processes. We will address this problem to provide a platform for alleviating age-related muscle weakness.