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Investigation Into The Roles Of A Novel Vertebrate Gene, S52, In CNS Development And Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$272,389.00
Summary
Developmentally regulated genes when mutated or deleted can cause a variety of diseases including neurological diseases in humans. It is therefore important to understand the fundamental molecular genetics of development. We have discovered a novel human gene, termed S52, and its equivalent gene in the mouse. The predicted protein derived from these genes would indicate that S52 protein may interact with other proteins, possibly nerve growth factors, in the body to regulate normal development an ....Developmentally regulated genes when mutated or deleted can cause a variety of diseases including neurological diseases in humans. It is therefore important to understand the fundamental molecular genetics of development. We have discovered a novel human gene, termed S52, and its equivalent gene in the mouse. The predicted protein derived from these genes would indicate that S52 protein may interact with other proteins, possibly nerve growth factors, in the body to regulate normal development and possibly facilitate the survival of nerve cells in embryos. Strikingly, the worm C. elegans, an evoluationary very distant animal, also has a very similar gene to human. The fact that the protein has been so conserved throughout evolution supports the idea that S52 function is important in development. S52 mRNA is expressed in the developing brain, particularly in a special group of cells called the floor plate. Floor plate is a tissue that has ability to organize the patterning and differentiation of cells within the developing brain. S52 is also expressed in motor neurons in early stages of development and later in a subset of dorsal spinal cord neurons. We have mapped S52 to the short arm of human chromosome 2 (2p15-22). This region of chromosome 2 is linked to several human genetic diseases with neurological defects. Based on our preliminary data, we think S52 is not only important for normal brain development but may be mutated in a human neurological disease called Spastic Paraplegia Type 4 (SPG4) which is characterized by a degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord. The aim of this project is to further our understanding of the function of this gene and investigate its role in disease. This knowledge will contribute to an overall increase in our understanding of the molecular basis of brain development and neurological disease in humans.Read moreRead less
Studies On Induction Of Antigen Specific T Regulatory Cells To Control Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,033.00
Summary
The immune system has natural control mechanisms, called regulatory cells. Our group was the first in the world to correctly identify these cells. There is now a world-wide interest in these cells as they can prevent unwanted immune mediated injury. In autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, regulatory cells can prevent relapse and progression. This project will identify ways of producing potent specific regulatory cells to control multiple sclerosis and other debilitating neurological d ....The immune system has natural control mechanisms, called regulatory cells. Our group was the first in the world to correctly identify these cells. There is now a world-wide interest in these cells as they can prevent unwanted immune mediated injury. In autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, regulatory cells can prevent relapse and progression. This project will identify ways of producing potent specific regulatory cells to control multiple sclerosis and other debilitating neurological diseases.Read moreRead less