Last Updated: 18/06/2024
Integral membrane pyrophosphatases: Structure, function, drug design
Objectives
Thi study aims to extend the structural, functional and molecular dynamics studies to understand the mechanism of mPPases completely, and to develop potential drug-like molecules.
60% of drug targets – but 3% of solved structures – are integral membrane proteins. Integral membrane pyrophosphatases (mPPases) are novel ion pumps that use pyrophosphate to create a sodium/proton gradient in the cell. They are unlike any other protein, do not occur in multicellular animals but do occur in parasites that cause eg malaria (P. falciparum) and sleeping sickness. mPPases are a potential drug target: Previous work showed that the P. falciparum mPPase gene is essential. The ground-breaking structures of mPPases led to novel inhibitors that are active against P. falciparum. Developing drugs against these enzymes and diseases can have important benefits for human and animal health. It will also improve food security and sustainable living by providing new weapons against major human and animal diseases.
Jan 2019 — Aug 2023
$592,499
Related Resources
