Objective
Research objectives and content
The cysteine proteinase superfamily which includes enzymes of biological and medical importance is a source of natural structural variants of value in the investigation of mechanism. Recent work in the QMW Laboratory has produced definitive evidence that the ion-pair state
(Cys25)_S-/(HislS9)-/Im+ (C-H+) is formed across pKa valueS 2.5-3.3 and is fully developed at low pH where the enzymes are inactive. Catalytic competence requires an additional protonic dissociation at higher pH values with a pKa value close to 4. Experiments on Asp158Asn mutants have ruled out Asp158, the nearest carboxylate to the ion-pair, as the electrostatic switch. Electrostatics potential calculations suggest that two electrostatic clusters, centred on Glu50 and Glu 135 respectively, are prime candidates to contribute the carboxylate switch. The research objective is to generate a range of mutants of papain and caricain and to characterize the active centre chemistry and catalytic characteristics by stopped-flow kinetics using specially designed and synthesized time-dependent inhibitors as reactivity probes. Crystal structures of the key mutants will be determined in collaboration with IFR, Reading, UK. The ionization characteristics of the catalytic site histidine sidechains will be determined by NMR spectroscopy. The project will produce a detailed description of cysteine proteinase mechanism and will contribute substantially to our understanding of the roles of electrostatic effects and key binding interactions in catalytic site chemistry.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
Studies on the natural cysteine proteinase variants and the key mutants will properly define for the first time the catalytic mechanism of this class of enzymes. Training will be provided in the study of catalytic mechanism by rapid kinetics, protein engineering and computational techniques. The acquisition of these techniques will complement my existing experience and expertise in the fields of organic synthesis, immunology and protein chemistry.
Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
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.
- engineering and technology materials engineering crystals
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy absorption spectroscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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
E1 4NS London
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.