Regulation of cellular responses to neuropeptides.

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/114131

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

Neuropeptides are chemicals released from nerves that are responsible for communication between the nerves, glands, muscles or other nerves. Neuropeptides exert their diverse biological effects by interacting with small structures on the cells they wish to communicate with. These structures bind the neuropeptide and are termed neuropeptide receptors. The responses of tissues to neuropeptides, for example, contraction of muscle, decrease with continued exposure to the neuropeptide. This reduction in response is termed desensitization is thought to turn off the response to cells following stimulation by neuropeptides. In this study, I will investigate the mechanisms behind the desensitization of VPAC receptors which are a found throughout the body and have many important roles for example, gastrointestinal, pancreatic and reproductive function and control of muscle. VPAC receptors are also highly expressed in certain many cancers such as breast, prostate and colon carcinoma. The wide variety of functions that these receptors perform and the wide distribution in the body suggest that these are very important receptors. To date research into the responses and desensitisation of these receptors has been lacking, and the work that has been done has become confusing as more receptors and neuropeptides which bind them are discovered. The current project aims to carefully study these receptors and to determine their role in health and disease. The understanding the interaction of receptor and neuropeptide can perhaps lead to development of new therapeutic agents.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2000

End Date: 01-01-2000

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $83,510.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical bacteriology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

desensitisation | gastrointestinal | gastrointestinal disease | gastrointestinal motility | inhbitory neurotransmission | pituitary adenyly cyclase activating peptide receptors | tumour | vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors | watery diarrhea syndrome

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