Project description
Molecular insight into the dynamics of G-protein coupled receptor activation
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) participate in key transduction pathways and have been identified as playing a role in various diseases. Although nearly 40 % of drugs in the market target GPCRs, the activation and inactivation mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The EU-funded GPCR-MS project is investigating the role of membrane lipids in the dynamics of GPCR assembly and signal transduction. Using a battery of molecular tools and mass spectrometry, researchers will link GPCR conformation with drug effects and tolerance. Apart from generating fundamental biological knowledge, the project's results have great translational potential, guiding future drug discovery efforts towards novel drugs with greater specificity and efficacy.
Objective
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane proteins. They are involved in transducing stimuli and are implicated in many diseases including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, they are the target of ~40% of drugs on the market. Despite an extensive library of known binding partners, dynamics related to GPCR activation (and inactivation) are not fully understood.
The proposal uses a hypothesis driven approach to address three interrelated objectives. Objective 1 aims to reveal the propensities for lipids to modulate ligand binding to GPCRs. Objective 2 seeks to understand the intra-molecular factors regulating GPCR and G-protein assembly and their connection with the lipid environment. Objective 3 targets GPCR assembly and binding in the context of a native membrane.
This project will use fuse knowledge and tools from molecular biology (e.g. protein expression and mutation) and analytical chemistry (mass spectrometry (MS)) to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the molecular environment governing GPCR dynamics and assembly. The results of this project will contribute to our understanding of the influence of lipids on conformational dynamics to inform efforts to better understand off-target drug effects and drug tolerance. This information could in turn reveal novel GPCR conformations that facilitate state-selective structure-based drug discovery, with great implications for human health and quality of life.
This proposal aligns with goals of the Marie Skłowdowska-Curie Fellowship: I will diversify my professional profile, which has focused on fundamental MS in the US, by gaining new competences in molecular and structural biology in Europe and thereby expand my personal and professional network through international mobility. The host laboratory is at the forefront of MS in structural biology and provides an excellent multidisciplinary training environment.
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 proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology structural biology
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
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.