Award details

Analysis of post-translationally modified proteins using mass spectroscopy

Reference	BB/D524808/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Richard Reece
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Viki Allan, Professor Mark Peter Ashe, Professor Neil Bulleid, Professor Karl Kadler, Professor Martin Lowe, Professor Stephen Oliver, Professor Graham Pavitt, Professor Andrew Sharrocks, Dr James Warwicker
Institution	The University of Manchester
Department	Life Sciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	169,990
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/01/2006
End date	30/09/2006
Duration	9 months

Abstract

It is simply not true to say that the function of a gene is determined by the sequence of the amino acids for which it codes. The nascent polypeptide may be subjected to a wide array of post-translational modifications. In many cases, these modifications either are essential for the correct functioning of the protein, or are an integral part of the mechanism by which the activity of the protein may be modulated. The identification of the sites of PTM and understanding the dynamics of the modification process are therefore essential prerequisites to understanding the control of protein activity. We apply for funds to purchase an Applied Biosystems 4000 Q-TRAP Pro mass spectrometer. This instrument will be used to analyse proteins and peptides from complex mixtures for the purpose of mapping post-translational modifications (PTM) in proteins with high sensitivity in medium throughput. Funding is only requested for the purchase of the spectrometer itself. Ancillary equipment required for its daily operation (e.g. a capillary liquid chromatography system, nitrogen gas generation and workstation computing for data analysis) already exist with the Biomolecular Analysis Core Facility within the Faculty of Life Sciences. The Core Facility in which the instrument will be housed does, however, currently lack the ability to undertake analysis of PTMs in proteins available at low concentration. The proposed instrument will both extend and enhance our mass spectrometry capabilities. The machine will be used extensively throughout the faculty and, in addition, by users from other Universities and from industry. The projects that will exploit this system mainly involve research in basic biomedical sciences using mammalian cells or model organisms such as yeast. The instrumentation to be purchased allows these projects to take advantage of proteomics approaches. Specifically, and as outlined within this application, the machine will be used to analyse PTMs in the following areas: phosphorylation and methylation of transcription factors that play vital roles in the regulation of activity; modification (phosphorylation and hypusinlation) of translation factors; regulation of Golgi and dynein function through specific modification; characterisation of the redox state of ER proteins; systems approaches to understanding metabolic flux and the development of bioinformatics support.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Biomolecular Sciences (BMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Research Equipment Initiative 2005 (RE5) [2005]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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