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BBSRC DTG: The characterization of alpha-adrenergic-like biogenic amine G-protein coupled receptors from Amphioxus

ReferenceBBS/E/B/0000L727
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Peter Evans
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution Babraham Institute
DepartmentBabraham Institute Department
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 118,757
StatusCompleted
TypeInstitute Project
Start date 01/10/2008
End date 30/09/2012
Duration48 months

Abstract

G-protein coupled receptors are proteins in the cell membrane which when activated initiate a cellular response. G-protein coupled receptors are extremely important target sites for the development of novel drugs. At least 70% of the drugs currently used in medicine are targeted at these receptors and mutations in such receptors are increasingly been recognised as important causes of specific diseases. An analysis of the genome of the cephalochordate Amphioxus, which is predicted to be the most basal living chordate, has identified a range of putative G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). At least eleven of these have structural similarities with vertebrate and invertebrate biogenic amine receptors. This project aims to characterize the five alpha-adrenergic-like GPCRs that have been identified and to determine their pharmacological properties. It will increase our basic knowledge of how cells in nervous systems talk to each other and of the way in which adrenergic receptors have evolved.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Biochemistry & Cell Biology (BCB)
Research TopicsNeuroscience and Behaviour
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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