Structure-function study of CDK complexes

CDK复合物的结构-功能研究

• 批准号: G0800014/1
• 负责人: Martin Noble
• 金额: $ 44.78万
• 依托单位: University of Oxford
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2009 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=G0800014%2F1
• 关键词: Structure; function; study; CDK; complexes

The growth and division of cells is strictly controlled at the molecular level by a series of enzymes that include the cyclin dependent protein kinases (CDKs). These enzymes are switched on and off in an orderly sequence to ensure that cell division starts and stops at the required time. Though closely related in sequence, biological studies of the different members of the CDK family have revealed that each has unique properties. Our work, using the technique of X-ray crystallography, allows us to see the structure of these molecules at atomic resolution and so to learn how they differ from each other. The first aim of our work is to identify the sequence patterns that characterise substrates of the CDK family. We can use these patterns to identify potential substrates encoded within the human genome. These studies will also identify substrates suitable for analysis by X-ray crystallography that will provide an understanding of how they interact with CDKs. CDK activity is regulated by CDK binding to members of the cyclin and CKS protein families. The second aim of our work is to use kinetic, biophysical and structural methods to provide explanations for how cyclins and CKS proteins regulate CDK activity. Aberrant CDK activity has been linked to cancer, neurological diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis. In recent years, understanding a particular defect that leads to disease has led to exciting new medicines directed towards a particular target (e.g. the drugs Gleevec, Iressa and Herceptin for cancer treatment). A number of CDK-selective inhibitors are in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. These agents all act by binding to the CDK active site to block CDK activity. Compounds that block other interactions made by CDK/cyclin complexes represent an alternative target for CDK-directed therapies. The work described in this project, to elaborate the interactions that mediate the binding of substrates to CDKs and CDK-regulatory proteins, will aid the further development of such compounds and may also reveal additional targets for inhibitor development.

细胞的生长和分裂在分子水平上受到一系列酶的严格控制，其中包括细胞周期蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶(CDKs)。这些酶按顺序开启和关闭，以确保细胞分裂在所需的时间开始和停止。虽然在序列上密切相关，但对CDK家族不同成员的生物学研究表明，每个成员都有独特的特性。我们的工作，使用X射线结晶学技术，使我们能够在原子分辨率下看到这些分子的结构，从而了解它们之间的区别。我们工作的第一个目标是确定表征CDK家族底物的序列模式。我们可以使用这些模式来识别人类基因组中编码的潜在底物。这些研究还将确定适合X射线结晶学分析的底物，以了解它们如何与CDK相互作用。CDK活性受CDK与细胞周期蛋白和CKS蛋白家族成员结合的调节。我们工作的第二个目标是使用动力学、生物物理和结构方法来解释细胞周期蛋白和CKS蛋白是如何调节CDK活性的。CDK活性异常与癌症、神经系统疾病和类风湿性关节炎有关。近年来，对导致疾病的特定缺陷的了解导致了针对特定目标的令人兴奋的新药(例如，治疗癌症的药物格列卫、易瑞沙和赫赛汀)。一些CDK选择性抑制剂正在进行癌症治疗的临床试验。这些试剂都通过与CDK活性部位结合来阻断CDK活性。阻断CDK/细胞周期蛋白复合体的其他相互作用的化合物是CDK导向治疗的替代靶点。本项目中描述的工作，阐述了介导底物与CDK和CDK调节蛋白结合的相互作用，将有助于此类化合物的进一步开发，并可能揭示抑制剂开发的更多靶点。