Award details

The molecular cloning, expression & functional characterisation of wild-type and levamisole resistant nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in C.elegans

Reference	BBS/E/B/51947746
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor David Sattelle
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	43,690
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	31/07/1999
Duration	28 months

Abstract

Wild-type and mutant nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits in Caenorhabditis elegans will be investigated. The distinct subunit amino acid sequences available to date, suggest that the C. elegans nAChR family may exhibit novel pharmacology; this will be tested directly using functional expression studies. Expression in vivo of all known and predicted nAChR subunits will be studied using RT-PCR and specific subunit cellular expression patterns will be examined throughout development using reporters genes (lac-z, green fluorescent protein). Multidisciplinarity: This project integrates molecular genetics, gene expression (in vitro and in vivo) and electrophysiology in the study of an acetylcholine receptor gene family. The project is relevant to the H&LS and ANRE Foresights (animal welfare) and the specific H&LS priorities of Drug Creation and Delivery (as it identifies novel drug targets) also CPD Drug Design; Integrative Biology (as it combines molecular genetics and cell biology in studies of cell-cell interactions in the nervous system); Diagnostic Applications of Molecular Biology (as DNA probes for anthelmintic drug resistance can be generated); and Neuroscience (as genes involved in neural degeneration can be identified and experimentally manipulated). The likely benefits are an increased understanding of acetylcholine receptor function, regulation of receptor gene expression and ligand- receptor interactions (including anthelmintic drug actions). Identification of potential molecular targets of novel anthelmintic drugs offers convenient in vitro target-site assays for drug development.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
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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