Phosphorylation of the carboxterminal domain (CTD) as a modulatory input to regulate the function of the Popeye domain containing proteins (Miss Lena Gruscheski)
Professor Thomas Brand from Imperial College London is studying the function of Popeye proteins in the heart and understanding how chemical modifications to these proteins can influence normal heart rhythm. Popeye proteins are located within the outer membrane of cells, and interact with proteins called ion channels to control where they are located on the cell surface. They are modified by a chemical change called phosphorylation, which happens frequently on one particular end of the protein – the carboxy-terminal domain, or CTD. But we currently know little about this domain and how any modifications to it are related to controlling heart rhythm. Professor Brand believes this protein phosphorylation is important and may affect how the Popeye protein works. In this project, his PhD student will study the CTD’s functions and work out where phosphorylation happens and how it alters the heart rate in response to stress. The team will also alter the Popeye protein to prevent or mimic protein phosphorylation, before studying what these altered proteins do in heart cells and in frog eggs. They will also study mice lacking the CTD domain of the Popeye protein. By better understanding Popeye protein function and how these proteins are involved in heart pacemaking and conduction, this research could reveal ways to exploit this knowledge and develop new drugs to fight heart disease.
Project details
| Grant amount | £136,662 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Fellowships |
| Application type | PhD Studentship |
| Start Date | 01 June 2017 |
| Duration | 3 years, 3 months |
| Reference | FS/17/10/32677 |
| Status | In Progress |
