Interaction Of Rab3D And Tctex-1 Is Required For Bone Resorption Through The Regulation Of Post-TGN Vesicle Trafficking
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,510.00
Summary
Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells responsible for the breakdown-resorption of bone tissue. Elevated osteoclast numbers and-or activities is a major hallmark of a number of debilitating Orthopaedic-related diseases including osteoporosis, arthritis, bone cancer and aseptic loosening. Among these, osteoporosis is endemic in Western society with an estimated 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men sustaining a fracture in their lifetime. It is well accepted that the transport of carrier vesicles containing ....Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells responsible for the breakdown-resorption of bone tissue. Elevated osteoclast numbers and-or activities is a major hallmark of a number of debilitating Orthopaedic-related diseases including osteoporosis, arthritis, bone cancer and aseptic loosening. Among these, osteoporosis is endemic in Western society with an estimated 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men sustaining a fracture in their lifetime. It is well accepted that the transport of carrier vesicles containing bone destructive enzymes is critical for bone resorption by osteoclasts. Although vesicle transport has been shown to be associated with microtubules (the cells skeleton), the molecular mechanisms responsible for vesicle and microtubule interaction are largely unknown. We have identified a novel interaction between Rab3D, a vesicle transport molecule, with Tctex-1, a microtubule-binding protein. We propose that the binding of Rab3D to Tctex-1 in osteoclasts is essential for the interaction of vesicles with microtubules and, hence, osteoclast function. The focus of this project is to further confirm our hypothesis by analysing the importance of this interaction in osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. The anticpated outcomes of the proposed project are: 1) Rab3D-mediated vesicle transport is directed via the microtubule network; 2) Interaction between Rab3D and Tctex-1 is cruical for the coupling of Rab3D-mediated vesicle transport to the microtubules; and 3)Disruption of the Rab3D-Tctex-1 interaction may impair bone resorption. Understanding the molecular mechanisms which regulate osteoclastic vesicle trafficking might therefore enable us to develop new strategies to specifically target and inhibit breakdown of bone tissue.Read moreRead less
The Next Generation Of Biomaterials; In Vivo Assessment Of Lumbar Spinal Fusion Biodegradable Interbody Cages
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,932.00
Summary
Back pain represents one of the major health and economic problems facing the western world. Surgery is an inevitable outcome for many sufferers and involves the implantation of metallic rods screws, plates or cages. Biodegradable implants have theoretical advantages, but until now no material has existed that can sustain he rigours of implantation into a load bearing site. We have developed such a material which will lead to improvements in the treatment of many orthopaedic conditions.