Structural Characterisation Of SNARE Protein Complexes Involved In Insulin-regulated Glucose Transport
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,803.00
Summary
Insulin-regulated glucose transportation is defective in type 2 diabetes, a disease that is a major health problem worldwide and in some cases can lead to death. The aim of this work is to investigate the molecular structure and function of proteins critical to the transportation and delivery of glucose to muscle and fat cells, which will lead to the validation of new therapeutic targets and the development of new treatments for diabetes.
Control Of SNARE-mediated Granule Fusion In Mast Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,527.00
Summary
Asthma is an allergic disease affecting two million Australians. A major player in asthma is the mast cell which releases histamine when the cell is stimulated by antigen. The process by which histamine is released involves fusion of cytoplasmic granules containing the histamine with the cell surface membrane. The mechanism of this fusion process appears to be different in mast cells compared with other cells studied, raising the possibility that release of histamine, and hence the acute allergi ....Asthma is an allergic disease affecting two million Australians. A major player in asthma is the mast cell which releases histamine when the cell is stimulated by antigen. The process by which histamine is released involves fusion of cytoplasmic granules containing the histamine with the cell surface membrane. The mechanism of this fusion process appears to be different in mast cells compared with other cells studied, raising the possibility that release of histamine, and hence the acute allergic response, could be controlled if more were understood about the fusion process. This project aims to define the mechanism by which granules dock and then fuse with the cell surface. These are the two apects most likely to be unique in mast cells.Read moreRead less
Deciphering The Molecular Basis Of SM Regulation Of Exocytosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,564.00
Summary
Diabetes, obesity, heart disease and physical inactivity are major and escalating health problems within western societies. These problems are all linked to, or aggravate, the condition known as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when normal levels of insulin are insufficient to remove glucose from the blood. In the normal situation, insulin regulates glucose uptake into muscle and fat cells by stimulating the movement of a glucose transport protein from inside the cell to the cell su ....Diabetes, obesity, heart disease and physical inactivity are major and escalating health problems within western societies. These problems are all linked to, or aggravate, the condition known as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when normal levels of insulin are insufficient to remove glucose from the blood. In the normal situation, insulin regulates glucose uptake into muscle and fat cells by stimulating the movement of a glucose transport protein from inside the cell to the cell surface. The trafficking of this protein is somehow disrupted in insulin resistance. The purpose of this research is to follow up our exciting preliminary results on this system to shed light on the molecular processes that regulate the trafficking of the glucose transporter. Information resulting from our studies will lead to a better understanding of insulin-stimulated glucose transport and may also unravel the details of a related cellular secretion system that regulates neurotransmission. Our hope is that by understanding at the molecular level how cells regulate secretion, we can in the future develop therapeutics to counteract many of today s major health problems.Read moreRead less