Project description
Stabilising glutamate receptors for drug discovery
Glutamate constitutes one of the main excitatory chemical messengers in the brain and binds to metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), modulating synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. mGluRs are implicated in neurological and psychiatric disorders and are therefore promising drug target candidates. However, efforts to study and target mGluRs are hampered by difficulties in stabilising their active conformations in vitro. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ZwitterMPs project aims to stabilise mGluR1 by mimicking the lipid membrane using amphiphilic zwitterionic polymers. The latter help maintain the receptor's structural and functional integrity and facilitate their investigation with valuable insights into protein-drug interactions.
Objective
Membrane proteins, particularly G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), represent 25-30% of current drug targets. Among them, metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR), a Class C and group 1 type GPCR, is emerging as an attractive therapeutic target for various neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson's disease, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and neuropathic pain.
Despite the availability of its complete structure, biophysical characterization and drug discovery efforts targeting mGluR have been hindered by the challenges in obtaining stable, active conformations of this receptor for in-vitro studies. To overcome this impediment, we will utilize amphiphilic zwitterionic polymers, for stabilizing mGluR. Carefully synthesizing copolymers can mimic the native lipid environment and maintain the receptor's structural and functional integrity. Zwitterionic polymers, with their unique molecular architecture featuring both anionic and cationic groups, structure surrounding water molecules, creating super-hydrophilic surfaces ideal for stabilizing membrane proteins with exposed hydrophobic domains.
To evaluate this stabilization strategy, we first aim to employ the label-free bio-analytical technique of surface plasmon resonance to immobilize the mGluR-polymer complex. Secondly, we will investigate binding kinetics, affinities, and allosteric modulation of mGluR1 receptor to obtain valuable insights into protein-drug interactions. We anticipate this innovative strategy will address the existing challenges in stabilizing mGluR, offering improved stability, reduced complexity, cost-effectiveness, and higher yields over conventional methods. Moreover, it will accelerate drug screening practices targeting mGluR and other challenging membrane protein targets in the long run, thereby contributing to developing novel therapeutics for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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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
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
182 00 PRAHA 8
Czechia
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