Award details

Analysis of the tertiary structure of the Hepatitis C IRES and its recognition by small molecule ligands

ReferenceB10157
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Johanna Avis
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Dr David J. Berrisford
Institution The University of Manchester
DepartmentLife Sciences
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 179,867
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 12/10/1998
End date 12/10/2001
Duration36 months

Abstract

The hepatitis C virus establishes persistent infection in humans, causing chronic liver disease and carcinoma. The most conserved region of the HCV genome is the 5'NTR required for translational initiation (the IRES). As part of a programme to investigate the function of the IRES and the potential of this region for drug targeting, this proposal aims to obtain tertiary structure information (X-ray) for this region and to initiate a search for lead compounds that bind the RNA specifically. There is precedence for both glycosides and peptides showing structure-selective RNA recognition. Both types of compound will be screened for IRES binding, in vitro and in vivo. A ligand may also stabilise the conformation of an IRES-derived RNA and promote crystallisation. The aims are ambitious and competitive but justified given the combined expertise and resources available.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Biomolecular Sciences (BMS)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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