Targeting alpha-conotoxin MII to inhibit neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine alpha3beta2 receptors of the CNS

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/102477

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a central role in nerve signal transmission, neurite growth and development and are the representative model of the ligand-gated ion channel superfamily. Recent studies, including those from Dr Lewis' and A-Prof Alewood's laboratories, have identified alpha-conotoxin peptides which can discriminate among the different nAChRs, apparently by binding to the specific interfaces formed by different subunit combinations. Thus alpha-conotoxins are unique tools with which to identify and determine the physiological role, played by the different native neuronal nAChRs. Moreover, they are unusually stable peptides and can withstand enzyme and acid treatment. These findings have encouraged us to pursue the viability of alpha-conotoxin MII as a new and selective antagonist for the neuronal nictotinic receptor alpha3 beta2 which is involved in nicotine addiction. The challenge and major goal of this project is to deliver alpha-conotoxin MII efficiently into the brain. A-Prof Toth has developed a novel drug-delivery system for the oral administration of drugs and peptides, which in their unmodified form are poorly absorbed or biologically unstable. In this project alpha-conotoxin MII will be combined with a specifically designed lipopolysaccharide delivery system . The delivery system can be specifically tailored to transport a wide variety of peptides through the different biological barriers. The peptides can be conjugated to the delivery system in such a way as to release the peptide after it has been absorbed (prodrug), or to form a biologically stable and active novel molecule. The outcomes of this work will include the first delivery system of nicotinic antagonists to the brain and new knowledge concerning the importance of the neuronal nictotinic receptor alpha3 beta2 in nicotine addiction.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2000

End Date: 01-01-2002

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $218,334.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical biochemistry - amino acids and metabolites

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Conotoxin | Drug Delivery | Liposaccharides | Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor | Nicotine addiction | Oral absorption | Oral drug administration | Peptide delivery

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