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Beginning a genetic dissection of the function of the novel recently discovered sterol biosynthetic pathway in Mycobacteria

Reference	P12004
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Steven Kelly
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor David Lamb
Institution	Aberystwyth University
Department	Inst of Biological, Environ & Rural Sci
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	168,036
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	04/01/2000
End date	04/10/2003
Duration	45 months

Abstract

A biosynthetic pathway for cholesterol has been discovered in Mycobacterium smegmatis by our observation of homologues in the genome of M. tuberculosis. This is surprising given the normally eukaryotic association made for sterols where they provide an essential role in the membrane and act as precursors of steroid hormones. Potential applications will arise if, as for eukaryotes, sterol biosynthesis can be used to produce steroids. To begin the genetic dissection we will clone, express and investigate activity for ORF's from M. tuberculosis homologous to yeast HMG CoA reductase, squalene synthase, sterol 14-demethylase and C5,6-desaturase. The tractable organism M. smegmatis will be screened for homologous genes and gene disruption will be undertaken to probe sterol function.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
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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