Principal Investigators

    Professor DA Lomas

    Institution

    University College London

    Contact information of lead PI

    Country

    United Kingdom

    Title of project or programme

    Pathobiology of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficency and the serpinopathies

    Source of funding information

    MRC

    Total sum awarded (Euro)

    € 1,547,841

    Start date of award

    07/10/2013

    Total duration of award in years

    2.7

    The project/programme is most relevant to:

    Alzheimer's disease & other dementias

    Keywords

    Research Abstract

    We have used a wide range of techniques to show that naturally occurring mutations in members of the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) superfamily result in abberant conformational transitions to cause disease. The most common of these is the sequential linkage between the reactive centre loop of one molecule and beta-sheet A of another. This process of loop-sheet polymerisation results in the retention of ordered serpin polymers within the cell of synthesis. Polymerisation of mutants of antitrypsin, antithrombin, C1 inhibitor and antichymotrypsin cause cirrhosis, thrombosis, angioedema and emphysema respectively. Perhaps most striking is our description of the same process in a neurone specific serpin, neuroserpin, to cause a novel dementia that we have called Familial Encephalopathy with Neuroserpin Inclusion Bodies (FENIB). A central feature of these conditions is a genotype-phenotype correlation that can be explained by the rate of intracellular polymerisation. In view of their common mechanism we have grouped these diseases of the serpins together as the serpinopathies and have used them as a paradigm for a broader class of disorders that we have called the conformational diseases. The serpinopathies provide a structurally defined model of protein aggregation in association with disease. We propose to use the small molecules, crystal structures, cell lines, monoclonal antibodies, fly models and the genetic screen that were generated in the last programme grant to address the following specific questions: (i) what are the conformational transitions underlying the serpinopathies? (ii) what is the effect of small molecules that block the polymerisation of alpha-1-antitrypsin? (iii) what is the cellular response to the retention of ordered serpin polymers within the endoplasmic reticulum? (iv) can we prepare monoclonal antibodies to latent alpha-1-antitrypsin and neuroserpin in order to define their role in disease? (v) what is the role of polymers in lung disease in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency? These studies, although focused on alpha-1-antitrypsin and neuroserpin, are applicable to many of the mutations in serpins that underlie the serpinopathies. The long-term aim of our work is to understand mechanisms of disease caused by the serpinopathies (from pathological conformational transitions to pathways of cell toxicity) so that we can develop novel therapeutic strategies to treat the associated clinical syndromes.

    Lay Summary

    Further information available at:

Types: Investments > €500k
Member States: United Kingdom
Diseases: Alzheimer's disease & other dementias
Years: 2016
Database Categories: N/A
Database Tags: N/A

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