Award details

Genetic and functional analysis of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor mediated signalling in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Reference	BBS/E/B/51976363
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Howard Baylis
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	69,219
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/10/1997
End date	31/05/1999
Duration	20 months

Abstract

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) mediate the release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum in response to the production of the second messenger inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3). These calcium signals play a key role in a wide range of cellular processes. The project utilises a broad range of approaches to study IP3Rs using the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The aims of the project are, (1) to produce a detailed description of the pattern of IP3R expression in the animal; (2) identify novel roles for IP3Rs; (3) establish the most complete account of interactions between IP3Rs and novel and previously identified signalling components; (4) test the hypothesis that IP3Rs are the physical core of signalling complexes and (5) analyse the physiology of IP3Rs and associated components in C. elegans. This knowledge is important to our understanding of central cellular processes such as proliferation, fertilisation and synaptic modulation, in all animals. Multidisciplinarity: The project integrates molecular biology, protein biochemistry, genetics, physiology, cell biology and whole animal studies. The likely benefits of this work are an increased understanding of the fundamental processes of cell signalling, the tissue specificity of such processes and the roles of these processes in the nervous system. Exploitability: This research is aimed at discovering novel, key, cell signalling components and cassettes in ubiquitous cell signalling networks. This may lead to an increased ability to manipulate these pathways in specific tissues in health and disease. Thus novel pharmaceuticals may be developed as a result of this basic research.

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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