The Mechanism Of HSV-1 Transport In Sensory Axons And Its Unique Assembly At The Axon Terminus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,284.00
Summary
Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 cause common diseases such as genital herpes and, occasionally, neonatal deaths and encephalitis and predisposes to HIV infection. New antiviral strategies are required for resistant viruses for control. These aims will be facilitated by understanding how HSV is transported down nerves and across into skin. In this study, we will define how a key viral protein plays a major role in assembly of the virus at the tip of the nerve before it enters skin.
The Role Of Keratin End-domains In Filament Biology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$139,235.00
Summary
The skin is the largest organ in the body and is the main interface between the organism and the external environment. It protects us from UV radiation, microbial invasion and chemical attack. It is able to repair itself and in fact, is continually renewing itself. In this study, we propose to examine the biology of keratins and the filament networks they form. Keratins are the most abundant proteins present in the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. Keratins form a cellular skeleton that re ....The skin is the largest organ in the body and is the main interface between the organism and the external environment. It protects us from UV radiation, microbial invasion and chemical attack. It is able to repair itself and in fact, is continually renewing itself. In this study, we propose to examine the biology of keratins and the filament networks they form. Keratins are the most abundant proteins present in the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. Keratins form a cellular skeleton that reinforces skin cells to help them withstand mechanical trauma. Mutations in these proteins result in a much weaker skeleton and ultimately in disease. We will examine how the keratin building blocks are transported around the cell to where they are needed. We will also determine the effect of mutations in this transport process on the biology of the cell. These studies may provide important clues into certain inherited skin disorders.Read moreRead less
Interactions Between Herpes Simplex Viral And Neuronal Motor Proteins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$222,962.00
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) lies dormant within the nerve cell bodies near the spinal cord in most people. Intermittently the virus reactivates and is transported down the nerve to the skin where it causes blisters-ulcers or is shed without causing symptoms. The aim of this grant is to determine how Herpes Simplex virus is transported within nerve cells at the molecular level. It builds on recent discoveries of a direct interaction between a Herpes simplex viral protein and the nerve cell motor p ....Herpes simplex virus (HSV) lies dormant within the nerve cell bodies near the spinal cord in most people. Intermittently the virus reactivates and is transported down the nerve to the skin where it causes blisters-ulcers or is shed without causing symptoms. The aim of this grant is to determine how Herpes Simplex virus is transported within nerve cells at the molecular level. It builds on recent discoveries of a direct interaction between a Herpes simplex viral protein and the nerve cell motor protein which transports essential components down nerves from the spinal cord to the skin. Ultimately we aim to develop inhibitors of this process which might be candidates for further development as antivirals for control of recurrent herpes simplex.Read moreRead less
Assembly And Transport Of Herpes Simplex Virus Within Neurones
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,500.00
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the human body via the skin before entering the termini of nerve cell processes. It is transported along these processes to the body of the nerve cell. HSV lies dormant within these nerve cell bodies near the spinal cord in most people. Intermittently the virus reactivates and is transported back down the nerve cell processes to the skin where it causes blisters-ulcers or is shed without causing symptoms. The aim of this grant is to determine how HSV is transpor ....Herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the human body via the skin before entering the termini of nerve cell processes. It is transported along these processes to the body of the nerve cell. HSV lies dormant within these nerve cell bodies near the spinal cord in most people. Intermittently the virus reactivates and is transported back down the nerve cell processes to the skin where it causes blisters-ulcers or is shed without causing symptoms. The aim of this grant is to determine how HSV is transported and assemblied within nerve cells at the molecular level. Recent discoveries have shown how virus transport in nerve cells is dependent on interactions between specific viral proteins and cellular motor proteins. Such information on viral transport and assembly mechanisms will allow development of inhibitors of these processes which may be candidates for use as antivirals for control of recurrent herpes simplex. In addition, this information will allow the virus to be exploited for use in gene therapy to introduce DNA into human nerve cells to correct genetic abnormalities.Read moreRead less
Transport, Assembly And Egress Of Herpes Simplex Virus In Neurones
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$639,661.00
Summary
Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 are important pathogens, causing encephalitis, blindness and severe neonatal infection but they also enhance the acquisition of HIV three-fold. The transport of the virus to and from the periphery to the spinal cord is a key component of their life cycle. Determination of the exact mechanism will assist in a general understanding of nerve function and the development of new strategies for antiviral drugs.
Transport And Egress Of Herpes Simplex Virus In Neurones
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,023.00
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the human body via the skin before entering the termini of nerve cell processes. It is transported along these processes to the body of the nerve cell. HSV lies dormant within these nerve cell bodies near the spinal cord in most people. Intermittently the virus reactivates and is transported back down the nerve cell processes to the skin where it causes blisters-ulcers or is shed without causing symptoms. The aim of this grant is to determine how HSV is transpor ....Herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the human body via the skin before entering the termini of nerve cell processes. It is transported along these processes to the body of the nerve cell. HSV lies dormant within these nerve cell bodies near the spinal cord in most people. Intermittently the virus reactivates and is transported back down the nerve cell processes to the skin where it causes blisters-ulcers or is shed without causing symptoms. The aim of this grant is to determine how HSV is transported within nerve cells at the molecular level. Recent discoveries have shown how virus transport in nerve cells is dependent on interactions between specific viral proteins and cellular motor proteins and how the virus escapes from nerves to infect skin and cause disease. Such information on viral transport will allow development of inhibitors of this process which may be candidates for use as antivirals for control of recurrent herpes simplex. In addition, this information will allow the virus to be exploited for use in gene therapy to introduce DNA into human nerve cells to correct genetic abnormalities. Finally this data will assist in understanding similar mechanisms for other viruses transported in nerve cells such as those causing shingles and rabies.Read moreRead less