CRYSTAL STRUCTURES OF ION CHANNEL PROTEINS

Funded Activity Summary

The general aim of this work is to investigate the three-dimensional structures of important target proteins using X-ray crystallography. Protein crystallography is the study of the three-dimensional shapes of proteins at near atomic resolution. In this method proteins are made to form crystals. X-ray beams are then shone on the crystals causing the X-rays to scatter in a pattern which is characteristic of the protein's three-dimensional shape. Knowledge of the structure of proteins is necessary for the complete understanding of their biological activity and is also very useful for the rational design of new drugs that may alter their activity. Approximately one third of the body's proteins are attached to membranes. However, relatively little is known about the three-dimensional structures of this important class of proteins. In this project the structures of proteins that form pores in membrane cell walls are being determined. Some of these proteins are bacterial toxins and knowledge of their structure may prove useful in the design of new antibiotics. Another project involves work on a protein called GABA. The structure of GABA could lead to new drugs that control epilepsy, act as general anaesthetics, relieve anxiety and induce sleep.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2000

End Date: 01-01-2002

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $358,502.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Membrane Biology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

BACTERIAL INFECTION | BIOSENSORS | ION CHANNELS | MEMBRANE PROTEINS | NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS | PROTEIN STRUCTURE | TOXINS | X-RAY CRYSTALLOGRAPHY

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