Project description DEENESFRITPL Studying the Negr1 interacting network in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders Compelling evidence indicates that most psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with aberrant neuronal connectivity. Most importantly, the neuronal growth regulator 1 (Negr1) is associated with neuronal connectivity and a number of diverse brain disorders. The EU-funded PSYNegrT project will investigate the hypothesis that the brain's Negr1 interacting-protein network is remodelled in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. The study will investigate the role of specific Negr1 complexes in diverse brain disorders and their possible exploration as drug targets. This project aims to produce the first exhaustive list of cerebral Negr1 interacting proteins in physiological conditions and to identify the protein–protein interactions involved in Negr1-mediated pathological aberrations. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective There are no therapies for the core symptoms of most psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Compelling evidence indicates that most of these disorders feature aberrant neuronal connectivity. Importantly, the neuronal growth regulator 1 (Negr1) is associated with neuronal connectivity and diverse brain disorders. Thus, a better understanding of how Negr1 exerts its functions may reveal general principles underlying these pathological conditions. Previous results show that Negr1 does not operate as single entity. Negr1 functions by physically interacting with other proteins. In this context, PSYNegrT will investigate the hypothesis that the brain’s Negr1 interacting-protein network is remodeled in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. The fellow will investigate the role of specific Negr1 complexes in diverse brain disorders and their possible exploitation as drug targets. To this aim, he will identify and characterize the brain’s Negr1 interacting-protein networks by proteomic, biochemistry, and molecular biology studies. Computational and mutagenesis studies will reveal structural features for molecular interactions at the interface between Negr1 and selected partner proteins. This project will thus: i) produce the first exhaustive list of cerebral Negr1-interacting proteins in physiological conditions ii) identify the protein-protein interactions involved in Negr1-mediated pathological effects.With PSYNegrT, the fellow will increase his research skills and expertise in molecular biology and modeling, thus flourishing into an independent group leader. The project will be a breakthrough in our understanding of the causes of diverse brain disorders, and it will reveal certain general principles underlying their pathophysiology. This will facilitate structure-based efforts to design small molecules, peptides, or nanobodies to target Negr1-mediated protein-protein interactions involved in these disorders. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsproteomicsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologypathophysiologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biology Keywords Negr1 schizophrenia autism depression interactomic molecular modeling Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2019 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2019 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA Net EU contribution € 183 473,28 Address Via morego 30 16163 Genova Italy See on map Region Nord-Ovest Liguria Genova Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
