Award details

The cloning and expression of novel beta-adrenergic-like receptors

Reference	BBS/E/B/00001194
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Peter Evans
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	166,903
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/03/2005
End date	31/03/2008
Duration	37 months

Abstract

An analysis of the genome of the model organism, Drosophila, has revealed the existence of novel genes that are structurally similar to vertebrate beta-adrenergic receptors. Since the fruitfly does not have large amounts of the catecholamines, noradrenaline and adrenaline in its nervous system, the physiological roles of such receptors is enigmatic. We have shown that the pharmacology of the founding member of this new family of receptors is highly unusual in that it does not display a typical adrenergic receptor pharmacology and can also respond to insect steroids. This project aims to characterize additional receptors of this class from Drosophila and related homologues from a primitive vertebrate, the protochordate Amphioxus, and from the human and mouse genomes, in terms of their pharmacology and mode of action. It will increase our basic knowledge of how cells in nervous systems talk to each other and of the way in which Beta-adrenergic receptors have evolved.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Biochemistry & Cell Biology (BCB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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