Structure, Transport And Assembly Of PorB, A Key Invasion Molecule Of Meningococcal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
When the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease invade cells, they use specialized cell surface pore proteins to hijack the human cell and maintain infection. This research will study the structure of these bacterial pore proteins to help understand how they function to subvert normal cellular processes, and this insight will be important in the development of new treatments for meningococcal disease.
The balance between cell division and programmed cell death is crucial for normal development, maintenance of homeostasis, and immune system function. Inappropriately regulated cell death contributes to the pathogenesis of a wide variety of human diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune syndromes and several forms of cancer. Death receptors such as Fas and TNFR1 are cell-surface sensors that trigger cellular destruction by apoptosis in response to specific extracellular death s ....The balance between cell division and programmed cell death is crucial for normal development, maintenance of homeostasis, and immune system function. Inappropriately regulated cell death contributes to the pathogenesis of a wide variety of human diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune syndromes and several forms of cancer. Death receptors such as Fas and TNFR1 are cell-surface sensors that trigger cellular destruction by apoptosis in response to specific extracellular death signals. Recent studies have demonstrated that the mechanisms of signal transduction through Fas and TNFR1 differ significantly, however, they both require the adaptor protein FADD to induce apoptosis. In this study we will elucidate the molecular basis of the interactions between FADD and its binding partners using biochemical and biophysical studies. This research will improve our understanding of death receptor-induced apoptosis and the differences in signalling mechanisms. A detailed knowledge of these aspects of death receptor signalling is of significance because they represent critical regulatory steps that could be useful for targeted interventions.Read moreRead less