Understanding the Chemical Processes Involved in the Metabolism of Peptide Hormones

多肽荷尔蒙调节人类的正常生理活动，它们的过度生产会导致癌症等疾病。该项目的目的是：描述这些激素产生的化学过程；开发与激素产生有关的酶的抑制剂，以及激素通过其作用的受体的激动剂和拮抗剂；以及研究抑制剂、激动剂和拮抗剂超越和绕过激素水平通常维持在动态平衡的化学控制机制的能力。这项研究有望更好地从根本上了解激素代谢，并为开发新的疾病疗法奠定基础。

Peptide hormones regulate normal physiological activity in humans, and their over-production causes diseases such as cancer. The aims of this project are: to delineate the chemical processes through which these hormones are produced; to develop inhibitors of enzymes involved in hormone production, and agonists and antagonists of receptors through which the hormones act; and to study the ability of the inhibitors, agonists and antagonists to override and bypass the chemical control mechanisms through which hormone levels are usually maintained at homeostasis. The research is expected to lead to a better fundamental understanding of hormone metabolism, and to underpin the basis for the development of new disease therapies.