Objective
Specific binding between bacterial enterotoxins and oligosaccharides on the host cell membrane is a paradigm for protein-sugar interaction. One of the best-characterized recognition pairs is formed by ganglioside GM1 and the cholera toxin (CT).
Synthetically accessible ganglioside mimics that act as high-affinity ligands for CT may lead to drugs capable to block the interaction between the toxin and target cells, thus preventing the onset of the disease. Much synthetic effort has been devoted to the synthesis of gangliosides, but the development of ganglioside mimics is still surprisingly little explored.
The major part of the reports come from the host laboratory which has reported a group of pseudo-oligosaccharides, rationally designed to mimic the 3D structure of GM1. Some of these molecules display high affinity for CT and are structurally much simpler than the natural ligand, but their rather complex synthesis and expected instability towards glycosidases make them poor candidates for potential medicinal applications.
The present project is aimed to the design and synthesis of glycosidase stable mimics of the GM1 ganglioside as efficient and selective CT inhibitors. As a general strategy, the two-pharmacophoric fragments of GM1, a sialic acid and a galactose residue, will be connected to each other through a linker using non-glycosidic bonds.
The linkers' design will be based on the known X-ray structure of the CT: GM1 complex. Optimization of the linker will be obtained either through parallel synthesis or using a target-guided approach. This project is connected to the activities of the COST D34/001/05 WG, working on cholera toxin inhibition and sensing.
This fellowship and the framework provided by the COST group will ensure the opportunity for the pro poser to be exposed to an interdisciplinary context while working on a timely scientific project resulting from the coordinated efforts of internationally recognized research leaders in glycoscience.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules carbohydrates
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-7
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.
IIF - Marie Curie actions-Incoming International Fellowships
Coordinator
MILANO
Italy
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.