Award details

Functional analysis of the murine gammaherpesvirus M3 protein: a novel virokine?

Reference	C12782
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor James Stewart
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Douglas Roy
Institution	University of Liverpool
Department	Medical Microbiology & GenitoUrinary Med
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	165,785
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/06/2000
End date	01/06/2003
Duration	36 months

Abstract

Many viruses secrete proteins that are highly similar to cellular cytokines both in sequence and in function. Our preliminary data has shown that murine gamma-herpesvirus secretes a unique protein termed M3 that has growth factor activity on B lymphocytes. The aim of this project is to characterise this protein in more detail. Firstly, the cellular ligand for the protein will be identified by high resolution mass spectrometry of M3-binding proteins. Next, the activity of M3 protein on the growth, differentiation and function of leukocyte subsets will be elucidated. Finally, using a combination of bioinformatics (EST database searching) and screening of cDNA libraries, we will attempt to identify a cellular M3 homologue. The results of this project will be important in fundamental immunology and may also have potential commercial applications in immunotherapy.

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

I accept the terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)

export PDF file

back to list new search