Tropisetron: Molecular Mechanisms Of Action At The 5-HT3 Receptor And The Glycine Receptor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,800.00
Summary
Tropisetron and related drugs are used clinically to combat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. These drugs are termed '5-HT3 antagonists' because they block the activity of 5-HT3 receptor ion channels, which are found in parts of the brain that control the vomit reflex. Tropisetron also has potent effects on the glycine receptor chloride channel, which inhibits the nervous system. Depending on the concentration used, tropisetron can either increase or decrease the activity of the glycine ....Tropisetron and related drugs are used clinically to combat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. These drugs are termed '5-HT3 antagonists' because they block the activity of 5-HT3 receptor ion channels, which are found in parts of the brain that control the vomit reflex. Tropisetron also has potent effects on the glycine receptor chloride channel, which inhibits the nervous system. Depending on the concentration used, tropisetron can either increase or decrease the activity of the glycine receptor. If a drug can be found to selectively increase glycine receptor activity, it may be useful as an analgesic. In this project, we aim to understand the molecular mechanisms by which tropisetron interacts with the 5-HT3 receptor and the glycine receptor. This may help to identify novel analgesic drugs and more selective anti-emetic drugs.Read moreRead less
Structure And Function Of The Alternative Splicing Factor ZNF265
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,017.00
Summary
Now that the human genome has been sequenced, we can see that a human being is defined bye approximately 30000 genes. One of the biggest surprises to come from this work was that the number of genes was significantly smaller than many predicted. Similar surprise was registered at the discovery that the genome of the fruit fly actually contained fewer genes than that of the model worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. Part of the explanation for these apparent discrepencies lies in the phenomenon known as ....Now that the human genome has been sequenced, we can see that a human being is defined bye approximately 30000 genes. One of the biggest surprises to come from this work was that the number of genes was significantly smaller than many predicted. Similar surprise was registered at the discovery that the genome of the fruit fly actually contained fewer genes than that of the model worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. Part of the explanation for these apparent discrepencies lies in the phenomenon known as gene splicing, whereby one gene can actually give rise to many different isoforms of the same protein. These different isoforms can have different structures and-or functions, and dramatically increase the complexity that it is possible for an organism to achieve with a given number of genes. The process of splicing is very intricate, requiring precise control to allow an organism to develop normally. Many human genetic diseases are known to arise from problems with splicing. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of splicing is rather incomplete. This proposal aims to improve our understanding of the splicing process through a range of biophysical and molecular biological approaches. This information should prove useful in understanding human development and disease.Read moreRead less