Cell signalling by inositol pyrophosphates

我们身体的细胞需要沟通和协调外部输入，如营养供应或激素水平，以便正确行事。在细胞中，信息通过分子的数量和位置的变化被收集和传播。失去对这些复杂细胞过程的控制会导致病理状况和人类疾病。我们的目标是通过研究这些“信号”分子的特定集合来了解信息是如何在细胞内和整个身体中产生、存储和传递的：肌醇磷酸。这个家族包括在所有生物体中发现的许多分子，并且对于正确的细胞健康和行为至关重要。到目前为止，我们知道肌醇磷酸盐参与协调重要营养磷酸盐的使用，但我们仍在努力了解这是如何实现的。磷酸肌醇的数量和作用在糖尿病和肥胖症等病理条件下会发生变化;最终目标是在细胞水平上解决这些问题，从而帮助患者。

The cells of our body are required to communicate and coordinate external inputs, such as nutrient availability or hormone levels, in order to behave properly. In cells information is collected and spread through molecules, via changing of their amounts and locations. Loss of control of these complex cellular processes leads to pathological conditions and human diseases. We aim to understand how information is created, stored and communicated inside cells and throughout our bodies by studying a certain collection of these “signalling” molecules: the inositol phosphates. This family comprises a number of molecules that are found in all organisms, and are essential for correct cell health and behaviour. So far we know that inositol phosphates are involved in coordinating the use of the important nutrient phosphate, but we are still working to understand how this is achieved. The amounts and roles of inositol phosphates are altered in pathological conditions such as diabetes and obesity; the ultimate goal is to fix these problems at a cellular level, and thus help patients.