How Do P75 And Sortilin Facilitate TrkA-mediated Survival Signalling?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$559,354.00
Summary
Neurotrophins are the classical growth factors that regulate neuronal survival and death throughout the nervous system in both the developing and adult animal. These factors signal through one of three receptors, but precisely how the receptors interact to propagate cell survival is unclear. The goal of this grant is to unravel the molecular basis underpinning this life and death signalling decision so that we can then devise ways to promote cell survival in neurodegenerative conditions
Biology Of EGFR Mutations In Glioblastoma Multiforme
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,445.00
Summary
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a protein that has a critical role in the development of normal cells. In glioma, the most lethal of the brain cancers, the EGFR is altered. These alterations result in uncontrolled activation of the EGFR, causing signals that promote the growth and survival of brain cancer. This grant seeks to understand the nature of the signals mediated by the altered EGFR, in turn helping us develop better therapeutics for the treatment of this deadly cancer.
Structural Studies On Cell Signalling Via The LIF Receptor And Gp130
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,943.00
Summary
The cytokines play important roles in the immune system during blood cell development and inflammation, and in nerve growth, bone remodeling, reproduction and heart development. Cell responses are initiated by a cytokine bringing together on the cell surface a receptor complex made up of multiple molecules. This project will investigate the atomic structure of the cell surface macromolecular complex, and hence the underlying mechanism by which cytokine signals are initiated.
The Role Of Eph/ephrin Clustering And Trafficking In Control Of Tumour Cell Invasion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,500.00
Summary
Eph and ephrin proteins are important for normal development of the embryo by controlling cell positioning. In adult tissues these proteins are present at low levels but are found at high levels in human cancers, including skin cancers, where their presence is thought to promote aggressive tumours. We wish to understand how these proteins control cell movement and contribute to cancer progression so that we can develop new cancer therapies.
Physiological Function Of The Novel Vitamin D Receptor Isoform
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,750.00
Summary
Vitamin D regulates a wide range of physiological systems including those involved in control of calcium blood level and bone health as well as regulation of the immune system and of cell growth. Vitamin D action is mediated through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a member of a large family of proteins that regulate the activity of specific target genes that control numerous biological functions. A novel, larger form of the human VDR has recently been described in our laboratory. This novel form s ....Vitamin D regulates a wide range of physiological systems including those involved in control of calcium blood level and bone health as well as regulation of the immune system and of cell growth. Vitamin D action is mediated through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a member of a large family of proteins that regulate the activity of specific target genes that control numerous biological functions. A novel, larger form of the human VDR has recently been described in our laboratory. This novel form shows differences in activity from the shorter VDR form (VDRA) and also has an unusual distribution within the nucleus of the cell that may relate to its function. The present project focuses on further analysis of the relevance of this novel VDR isoform to normal physiology. We hypothesise that the larger VDR isoform has unique characteristics that may modify how vitamin D works in different cells and tissues, on specific target genes and in response to different active forms of vitamin D. These differences depend on this novel isoform s interaction with specific nuclear proteins that regulate the actions of other hormone receptors. The specific aims of this project are to study the functions of the novel VDR isoform in comparison to VDRA: * On different target genes that are either activated or inhibited in response to vitamin D, and on different cell lines from tissues where vitamin D has important roles, like intestine, kidney and bone * In their response to natural and synthetic vitamin D compounds, because of their possible therapeutic applications * In their interactions with intranuclear regulatory proteins, to understand the underlying mechanisms The study of these two forms of the VDR will help to clarify their potentially different cellular roles and their contribution to the wide range of physiological processes regulated by the vitamin D endocrine system. This understanding may open new paths for treatments of human bone and calcium-related diseases.Read moreRead less
Constitutive Activation Of The Growth Hormone Receptor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,277.00
Summary
Growth hormone regulates growth, metabolism, bone, stem cells and longevity, and cancer. These actions are mediated by the GH receptor, and here we seek to understand how it is activated by the hormone through receptor constructs which are active without hormone, to different degrees. We will use these to elucidate its signaling properties, its ability to promote cancer, to grow muscle, and whether cases of giantism and cancer are a consequence of the activating mutations we have identified.
The maintenance of optimum health and function of living cells, and consequently that of the whole organism, depends on how cells respond to a multitude of physical and chemical stimuli that continually bombard them. The majority of the chemical stimuli such as hormones and neurotransmitters impart their actions not by directly entering the cell, but instead, by binding to a specific receiver protein at the cell surface called a receptor. In one class of such receptors called G protein coupled r ....The maintenance of optimum health and function of living cells, and consequently that of the whole organism, depends on how cells respond to a multitude of physical and chemical stimuli that continually bombard them. The majority of the chemical stimuli such as hormones and neurotransmitters impart their actions not by directly entering the cell, but instead, by binding to a specific receiver protein at the cell surface called a receptor. In one class of such receptors called G protein coupled receptors, the transmission of the message to the interior of the cell involves yet another protein called G protein. It is extremely important to unravel how each of these components, the stimulating agent, the receptor and G protein, works in order to understand how the cells respond to various chemical signals. To make this process even more complex, it was recently shown that another newly discovered group of proteins called receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMPs) too play a critical role in some systems. Understanding what actually is the role of these new players, and how they team-up with the other components to elicit a specific response to a chemical stimulus, forms the basis of this proposal. Such knowledge is central to the unraveling of the processes involved in the maintenance of health, abnormalities that lead to disease, and in the development of new treatments.Read moreRead less