Protein Partners Of Rapsyn That Regulate Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$411,000.00
Summary
Spinal nerves control our limb muscles by releasing chemical signals directly onto the surface of muscle fibres that they contact. These chemical signalling contacts are called synapses. They are like the synapses between nerve cells in our brains but easier to study, meaning that we can make more rapid progress in understanding how synapses work. The sensor receptors for chemical signals at the nerve-to-muscle synapse are held in place on the muscle fibre surface by a protein called rapsyn. In ....Spinal nerves control our limb muscles by releasing chemical signals directly onto the surface of muscle fibres that they contact. These chemical signalling contacts are called synapses. They are like the synapses between nerve cells in our brains but easier to study, meaning that we can make more rapid progress in understanding how synapses work. The sensor receptors for chemical signals at the nerve-to-muscle synapse are held in place on the muscle fibre surface by a protein called rapsyn. In turn, rapsyn must be organized by other chemical signals from the nerve, but we don't know exactly how this happens. When the receptors become disorganized at the synapse, in diseases such as Myasthenia Gravis, we lose control of our muscles. This project will employ newly developing techniques of proteomics and genomics to identify new proteins that bind to rapsyn and to test how they work to organize receptors at the synapse. By identifying the proteins that control rapsyn we may be able to develop new treatments for Myasthenia Gravis that restore the function of the synapse with less side effects than current therapies.Read moreRead less
The Neuromuscular And Biomechanical Gait Risk Factors For Progression Of Hip Ostoearthritis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,367.00
Summary
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition in older adults and it is often associated with pain, stiffness and functional limitations particularly in walking. There is no cure for hip OA and the end result is often a total hip replacement. Knowledge of neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics of hip OA during walking and any relationships to disease progression will provide a better understanding of risk factors for progression of hip OA. This knowledge may guide future hip OA manageme ....Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition in older adults and it is often associated with pain, stiffness and functional limitations particularly in walking. There is no cure for hip OA and the end result is often a total hip replacement. Knowledge of neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics of hip OA during walking and any relationships to disease progression will provide a better understanding of risk factors for progression of hip OA. This knowledge may guide future hip OA management plans to slow the progression of the disease.Read moreRead less
Molecular Targets Involved In Human Muscle Atrophy And Hypertrophy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
Muscle wasting is a consequence of aging, cancer, HIV-AIDS, obesity and work-sport injuries. It increases the risk of injury, impacts on recovery and places an economic burden on our healthcare system. Atrogin-1 and STARS are muscle specific genes believed to regulate muscle mass. This project aims to determine how human atrogin-1 and STARS are regulated and how they can influence muscle loss. These studies may provide new targets for reducing human muscle wasting.
Investigation Of The Function Of The Scaffolding Protein LIN-2/CASK In Cholinergic Synapses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$911,656.00
Summary
Scaffolding proteins play vital role in synapses to maintain the function of the nervous system. One important scaffolds LIN-2/CASK has been implicated in autism disorders and has profound effect on synaptic function. Here we investigate the function of LIN-2/CASK and its binding partners in cholinergic synapses to dissect how they regulate synaptic transmission.
Postsynaptic Signalling Systems That Sustain The Nerve-muscle Synapse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,041.00
Summary
Neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) are the synapses through which motor nerves control our voluntary muscle cells. This project will investigate the molecular signalling system between nerve and muscle that helps maintain healthy NMJs. Normal ageing involves a progressive decline in muscle strength, often leading to loss of independence in the elderly. We will use a mouse model to test whether a breakdown of the NMJ signalling system contributes to the loss of strength in old age.