Objective
In Alzheimer disease (AD) one of the key players is γ-secretase, a protease that cleaves amyloid precursor protein (APP) within its transmembrane domain to produce amyloid β (Aβ). Longer Aβ peptides have stronger tendency to aggregate, form plaques and cause inflammation - the direct causes of AD. γ-secretase activity is confined to a complex consisting of presenilin (PSEN), nicastrin (NCT), APH-1 and PEN-2. The existence of two PSEN isoforms (1&2) and several APH-1 isoforms implies heterogeneity in activities of which biological relevance is poorly understood. Preliminary findings from our laboratory indicate that the complexes containing PSEN1 and PSEN2 are differently distributed along the secretory and endocytic pathways. We hypothesize that their subcellular localization contributes to different substrate and cleavage specificity, which results in generation of Aβ peptides of different lengths.
Our major objective is to examine the relationship between localization of γ-secretase isoforms and their substrates. This issue will be investigated on subcellular level, within given cellular compartments and membrane microdomains using the combination of biochemical methods with superresolution microscopy on mammalian cells. The specific objectives include identification and characterization of the sorting motifs within presenilins sequence and the sorting machinery responsible for their distinct endosomal localization. The microdomain association of PSEN1 and PSEN2 complexes will be achieved by analysis of colocalization with microdomain-specific proteins and lipid probes. A similar approach will be used to reveal different substrates of the enzymes. Finally, we will evaluate the effect of clinical PSENs mutations on the γ-secretases localization.
Understanding the physiological relevance of the γ-secretase complexes and how they select their substrates may potentially contribute improving the AD models and in the long term to development of more specific drugs.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology dementia alzheimer
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.