Structural and functional characterisation of human neurotransmitter inhibitor producing enzymes glutamate decarboxylase

谷氨酸脱羧酶(GAD)是中枢神经系统GABA的主要抑制性神经递质。GAD功能障碍与包括癫痫和精神分裂症在内的精神疾病有关。我们的目标是通过X射线结晶学和动力学研究来了解GAD结构元素的功能作用。我们还打算建立一种高通量GAD酶分析方法，以筛选能够调节GAD活性的化合物，这些化合物可能成为相关疾病的潜在治疗靶点。

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) produces the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, GABA. GAD dysfunction is associated with mental diseases including epilepsy and schizophrenia. We aim to understand the functional role of structural elements of GAD via x-ray crystallography and kinetic studies. We also aim to produce a high throughput GAD enzyme assay to screen compounds that can modulate GAD activity, which could be potential therapeutic targets for related disease.