THE ROLE OF A NOVEL HYALURONIDASE IN THE TURNOVER OF CHONDROITIN SULPHATE GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS IN CARTILAGE AND BONE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$256,527.00
Summary
The degradation of complex carbohydrate structures occurs within specialised intracellular organelles (lysosomes). Their degradation occurs in a strictly defined sequence involving initial clipping into intermediate sized fragments which are each then degraded piece by piece from one end. In this proposal we seek to understand the role of a newly defined enzyme in the initial clipping process. This information will aid our understanding of skeletal pathology in a group of genetic disorders in wh ....The degradation of complex carbohydrate structures occurs within specialised intracellular organelles (lysosomes). Their degradation occurs in a strictly defined sequence involving initial clipping into intermediate sized fragments which are each then degraded piece by piece from one end. In this proposal we seek to understand the role of a newly defined enzyme in the initial clipping process. This information will aid our understanding of skeletal pathology in a group of genetic disorders in which complex carbohydrate degradation is impaired. In addition due to the widespread location of complex carbohydrates and their fundamental roles in tissue development and growth, the project has wider implications in diverse disease states such as cancer and wound repair.Read moreRead less
Understanding Skeletal Development: A Non-proteolytic Mechanism Of Aggrecan Resorption In The Growth Plate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,044.00
Summary
Bone formation requires resorption of a cartilage template. We challenge the dogma that cartilage resorption is only by PROTEASES, and propose instead that GLYCOSIDASES might also be involved. Aims: Demonstrate that chondrocytes release glycosidases that are important for bone formation. Significance: New information for the design of reconstructive therapies for people with congenital and acquired limb deficiencies or inherited disorders such as arthritis and chondrodysplasias may be gained.