The Role Of Cellular Microdomains In G-protein Coupled Receptor Signalling.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,297.00
Summary
Molecules communicate with cells by attaching to proteins called receptors on the outside of cells, and triggering a series of events inside the cell. These events initially include the assembly of multiple proteins at the cell surface. This project will examine the formation of receptors and other proteins into these ‘communication complexes’. This will provide novel targets for more selective drug development.
Regulation Of Lipid Metabolism By AMP Activated Protein Kinase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,776.00
Summary
Western communities are experiencing an epidemic of overweight and obesity that is contributing to diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. This project is investigating an enzyme, called AMP-activated protein kinase, that plays a pivotal role in controlling how our bodies control energy metabolism in response to exercise. Improved understanding about how this enzyme regulates the body's storage and breakdown of fat and responsiveness to insulin will enable the development of new medicines ....Western communities are experiencing an epidemic of overweight and obesity that is contributing to diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. This project is investigating an enzyme, called AMP-activated protein kinase, that plays a pivotal role in controlling how our bodies control energy metabolism in response to exercise. Improved understanding about how this enzyme regulates the body's storage and breakdown of fat and responsiveness to insulin will enable the development of new medicines for the treatment of obesity and the prevention of diabetes.Read moreRead less
Role Of Non-classical Actions Of Androgens In Musculoskeletal Physiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$703,664.00
Summary
Androgens (male sex hormones) are important for growth-maintenance of muscle and bone. The classical action of androgens is to bind the androgen receptor (AR) and regulate target genes. They can also act via non-classical AR mechanisms through other cellular pathways. To understand the role of non-classical actions in the musculoskeletal system we will study mice in which androgens can only act via this pathway. This knowledge is important for the treatment of osteoporosis and muscle wasting.
Regulation Of Protein Kinases And Their Substrates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,000.00
Summary
Western communities are experiencing an obesity epidemic with up to half the population being overweight. Sedentary life styles and high caloric intake are the cause and will contribute to the development of age onset diseases including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and neurodegeneration. This project is investigating an enzyme that plays a pivotal role in controlling the body s response to exercise and diet. The key enzyme involved in this process is called the AMP-activated ....Western communities are experiencing an obesity epidemic with up to half the population being overweight. Sedentary life styles and high caloric intake are the cause and will contribute to the development of age onset diseases including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and neurodegeneration. This project is investigating an enzyme that plays a pivotal role in controlling the body s response to exercise and diet. The key enzyme involved in this process is called the AMP-activated protein kinase. This work will increase our understanding of the health benefits of diet and exercise. This new knowledge will play a vital role in developing new therapies for promoting exercise and mitigating the effects of diet that will improve health during the ageing process.Read moreRead less
Function Of The Lysophospholipid Receptor Family In Neuronal Stem Cells And Their Progenitors.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,723.00
Summary
Stem cells have the potential to give rise to a vast array of differentiated cells. Neuronal stem cells (NSC) can differentiate into progenitor cells which can themselves differentiate into cells of the nervous system: neurons and macroglial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells). This in turn can assist in the treatment of degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, motoneuron desease etc. Our project aims to study the effects on NSC and their progenitor ....Stem cells have the potential to give rise to a vast array of differentiated cells. Neuronal stem cells (NSC) can differentiate into progenitor cells which can themselves differentiate into cells of the nervous system: neurons and macroglial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells). This in turn can assist in the treatment of degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, motoneuron desease etc. Our project aims to study the effects on NSC and their progenitor cells of the lysophospholipids lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), bioactive molecules known to play an essential role in the nervous system during development and inflammation. Our project aims to understand the mechanisms of action of these molecules in NSC maintenance, proliferation, differentiation and migration. By understanding how these molecules are able to regulate NSC biology will provide new avenues in the development of tools necessary for stem cell therapy.Read moreRead less
G-alpha Proteins And Their Effectors (AC, PLC, Rho And ERK) In Central Cardiovascular Regulation In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,716.00
Summary
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke that are huge emotional and economic societal burdens. The brain is essential to the control of blood pressure. Specific sites within the brain are crucial in setting the resting level of blood pressure and controlling blood pressure in response to stimuli such as lying or standing. The activity of these brain sites is altered in conditions such as high blood pressure. We will determine the role specific protei ....High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke that are huge emotional and economic societal burdens. The brain is essential to the control of blood pressure. Specific sites within the brain are crucial in setting the resting level of blood pressure and controlling blood pressure in response to stimuli such as lying or standing. The activity of these brain sites is altered in conditions such as high blood pressure. We will determine the role specific proteins within cells, which are important in cell to cell communication in the brain, have in the control of blood pressure. Cells in the brain communicate using chemical messengers that act at receptors on the cells surface. Three forms of these receptors exist. We are interested in the most abundant form of receptor that has about 860 members. When activated these receptors use a complex cascade of proteins within the cell to dictate that cell's response. We know that some of these receptors in the brain are involved in the regulation of blood pressure and that some of them are altered in conditions such as hypertension. We could target each of the receptors but for many of them we do not know the chemical than activates them. Fortunately each of 860 receptors act primarily via just a few specialised proteins. Initially we will target these proteins to determine the impact these receptors have in altering the resting levels of blood pressure, their role in response to stimuli that affect blood pressure and the role they play in hypertension. Three approaches will be used: altering function of the proteins, identifying the types of proteins present and identifying the cells involved, in brains sites important in regulation of the heart and blood vessels. This novel approach to understanding how the brain controls blood pressure will undoubtedly identify targets for novel blood pressure lowering therapies and targets for genetically determined causes of hypertension.Read moreRead less