The role of intracellular calcium stores in cardiac pacemaking. The spontaneous firing of pacemaker cells is central to regulation of the cardiovascular system particularly during exercise. The discovery that pacemaker cell function is modulated in part by calcium ions will change our understanding of the changes in heart rate during exercise and in diseases which affect the pacemaker cells. Better understanding of the way in which spontaneous activity of these cells is regulated is the key to ....The role of intracellular calcium stores in cardiac pacemaking. The spontaneous firing of pacemaker cells is central to regulation of the cardiovascular system particularly during exercise. The discovery that pacemaker cell function is modulated in part by calcium ions will change our understanding of the changes in heart rate during exercise and in diseases which affect the pacemaker cells. Better understanding of the way in which spontaneous activity of these cells is regulated is the key to controlling or modifying their function.Read moreRead less
The role of intracellular calcium in fibre-type specific gene expression in skeletal muscle. Muscles contain different fibre types whose composition can be changed by activity. The aim of this proposal is to identify the intracellular mechanisms which control fibre type. Our hypothesis is that different patterns of intracellular calcium determine the pattern of gene expression which determines fibre type. Understanding how gene expression is regulated is a central issue in biology.
ZnT-1 regulates store operated calcium channels in salivary gland physiology and pathology. This project examines the hypothesis that the membrane protein ZnT-1 protects cardiac cells against the damage inflicted during ischemic reperfusion incidents, like in myocardial infarction (MI). The project is expected to elucidate the mechanism underlying cardiac cell protection, leading to the discovery of new drugs for protecting the heart against MI.
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2: a newly discovered enzyme with a key role in kidney function. We have discovered an enzyme, IDO2, that metabolises the amino acid tryptophan. The enzyme is found in kidney tubule cells and we propose that IDO2 activity regulates sodium reabsorption by the renal tubular cells. Regulation of sodium balance is important for determining blood pressure in health and disease.
The basis of recognition and disposal of dysfunctional proteins by clusterin. When proteins become damaged they can precipitate. A blood protein called clusterin prevents precipitation of damaged proteins. Clusterin does this by forming complexes with the damaged proteins. Clusterin is the first blood protein known to do this. We will discover which parts of clusterin are responsible for this activity. We will also discover whether cells can take up and dispose of the complexes of clusterin and ....The basis of recognition and disposal of dysfunctional proteins by clusterin. When proteins become damaged they can precipitate. A blood protein called clusterin prevents precipitation of damaged proteins. Clusterin does this by forming complexes with the damaged proteins. Clusterin is the first blood protein known to do this. We will discover which parts of clusterin are responsible for this activity. We will also discover whether cells can take up and dispose of the complexes of clusterin and damaged proteins. This work is important because some diseases (eg, Alzheimers disease) involve the toxic effects of abnormal protein precipitation. Understanding how clusterin works may help in developing better treatments for these diseases.Read moreRead less
Microparticles as effectors of microvascular alterations in brain inflammation. Cerebral malaria (CM) kills many children worldwide, but we do not understand why their small blood vessels in the brain become obstructed. We found that tiny elements detached from cell membranes, called microparticles (MP), are dramatically elevated in the blood during CM. Our results strongly suggest that these MP are important in CM development. We have found that some drugs block the release of MP and the stick ....Microparticles as effectors of microvascular alterations in brain inflammation. Cerebral malaria (CM) kills many children worldwide, but we do not understand why their small blood vessels in the brain become obstructed. We found that tiny elements detached from cell membranes, called microparticles (MP), are dramatically elevated in the blood during CM. Our results strongly suggest that these MP are important in CM development. We have found that some drugs block the release of MP and the stickiness of malaria parasites to blood vessels. Our project will tackle the conditions of MP production and define new drugs to prevent it. It also will explain how the brain becomes affected by high numbers of MP. Our results will cast new light on why the brain functions abnormally when its blood vessels become modified.Read moreRead less
Molecular basis of G protein receptor-effector coupling in epithelial cells. Hundreds of extracellular stimuli act on specific receptors in the plasma membrane of cells resulting in an increase in intracellular calcium which acts as a second messenger to alter cell behaviour. There are, however, many receptors acting through a number of closely related proteins involving tightly regulated interactions which remain poorly understood. This project uses novel techniques to elucidate the molecular b ....Molecular basis of G protein receptor-effector coupling in epithelial cells. Hundreds of extracellular stimuli act on specific receptors in the plasma membrane of cells resulting in an increase in intracellular calcium which acts as a second messenger to alter cell behaviour. There are, however, many receptors acting through a number of closely related proteins involving tightly regulated interactions which remain poorly understood. This project uses novel techniques to elucidate the molecular basis for these interactions by identifying the roles individual proteins play in this complex process.Read moreRead less
The macrophage nucleus - its form and function during migration in vivo. As cells migrate through tissues, they encounter complex, 3-dimensional environments that provide cues to guide them and present obstacles in their path. This project focuses on macrophages, a large immune cell capable of both amoeboid and mesenchymal modes of migration. The nucleus is the largest organelle and its bulk and stiffness must be managed as migrating cells travel through constrictions. The project uses specialis ....The macrophage nucleus - its form and function during migration in vivo. As cells migrate through tissues, they encounter complex, 3-dimensional environments that provide cues to guide them and present obstacles in their path. This project focuses on macrophages, a large immune cell capable of both amoeboid and mesenchymal modes of migration. The nucleus is the largest organelle and its bulk and stiffness must be managed as migrating cells travel through constrictions. The project uses specialised high-end microscopy and genetic methods to examine how the nucleus of migrating zebrafish macrophages deforms, repositions and is restructured during migration in living tissues, and how this influences macrophage locomotion. The goal is to provide fundamental insights into the cell biology of macrophage migration.Read moreRead less
The “New” Biochemistry of Polyamines: When Metabolic Pathways Collide. Basic biochemistry and the metabolic regulation of proliferation remain as the fundamental building blocks of knowledge in cell biology that have enabled breakthrough advances in biology and medicine. Polyamines are unique and ubiquitous low-Mr amines that play vital roles in many biological processes, including proliferation, DNA/RNA synthesis, etc. This proposal will mechanistically dissect the "new" biochemistry of polyami ....The “New” Biochemistry of Polyamines: When Metabolic Pathways Collide. Basic biochemistry and the metabolic regulation of proliferation remain as the fundamental building blocks of knowledge in cell biology that have enabled breakthrough advances in biology and medicine. Polyamines are unique and ubiquitous low-Mr amines that play vital roles in many biological processes, including proliferation, DNA/RNA synthesis, etc. This proposal will mechanistically dissect the "new" biochemistry of polyamines, as we have discovered that polyamines are regulated by iron at 2-major levels, involving >10-key polyamine pathway proteins. This proposal represents first-in-field studies specifically designed to dissect mechanisms involved in this relationship. Our Central Hypothesis is that iron regulates polyamine metabolism.Read moreRead less
Skeletal endocrine signalling in the regulation of glucose metabolism. This project seeks to explore a highly novel and interesting recent development in bone biology: the fact that the skeleton is a central regulator of glucose metabolism. Currently, the mechanisms involved in this process remain unclear. mTORC1 has been identified as a signalling pathway in bone cells that modulates glucose metabolism. This project plans to selectively delete mTORC1 in the bone cells of mice to examine how ske ....Skeletal endocrine signalling in the regulation of glucose metabolism. This project seeks to explore a highly novel and interesting recent development in bone biology: the fact that the skeleton is a central regulator of glucose metabolism. Currently, the mechanisms involved in this process remain unclear. mTORC1 has been identified as a signalling pathway in bone cells that modulates glucose metabolism. This project plans to selectively delete mTORC1 in the bone cells of mice to examine how skeletal mTORC1 signalling regulates glucose metabolism, and identify novel pathways and circulating factors involved in this process. These studies may provide greater understanding of the basic biology of glucose metabolism, and may have applications in animal husbandry and the future management of diabetes.Read moreRead less