Development Of A Specific Activin Antagonist For Therapeutic Applications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$504,287.00
Summary
Activin is a key regulator of homeostasis in several organs and tissues, including ovaries, testes, liver and skin, and alterations in activin�s activity can result in fibrosis, cachexia and cancer. In this grant we propose to develop a specific activin antagonist by modifying the activin A propeptide. This novel reagent could be used to promote liver growth in severe hepatic disease and prevent fibrosis in numerous tissues.
Activin Type II Receptor Antagonists: Mechanism Of Action And Biological Applications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,270.00
Summary
Activin is a member of the TGF- family of growth and differentiation factors. Over-expression in mice leads to muscle and liver wasting, scarring during wound healing, disturbances to the reproductive system and various endocrine disorders. Activin's biological activity is promoted by its binding in series to two receptors termed Type I and II. Previous studies by this investigator have shown that selective modification of activin's protein structure can result in activin forms (in this instance ....Activin is a member of the TGF- family of growth and differentiation factors. Over-expression in mice leads to muscle and liver wasting, scarring during wound healing, disturbances to the reproductive system and various endocrine disorders. Activin's biological activity is promoted by its binding in series to two receptors termed Type I and II. Previous studies by this investigator have shown that selective modification of activin's protein structure can result in activin forms (in this instance called activin-M108A) which bind to Type II receptors but fail to promote binding to the Type I receptor. This has led to the hypothesis that activin-M108A may compete for native activin binding to Type II receptors and thus prevent activin's recruitment of the Type I receptor with the consequence that activin's biological activity is inhibited. It is proposed to test this hypothesis by producing sufficient amounts of activin-M108A and testing its inhibitory effects in several mouse models of liver damage, muscular degeneration and ovarian and testicular disease. If activin-M108A, or related modified forms of activin, decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with these murine diseases, then we envisage that these activin type II receptor antagonists will also be beneficial for the treatment of related human conditions.Read moreRead less