Structural and functional aspects of proteinases and inhibitors: cloning, structural modification, inflammation, hemostasis, cell biology and insect growing

• Grant number: 03/10516-2
• Support Opportunities: PRONEX Research - Thematic Grants
• Duration: July 01, 2004 - May 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Convênio/Acordo: CNPq - Pronex
• Principal Investigator: Maria Luiza Vilela Oliva
• Grantee: Maria Luiza Vilela Oliva
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Farmacologia (INFAR). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Molecule structural studies aim to develop compounds for biochemical and therapeutic application. The core of this project is to be worked on structural studies of proteinases and inhibitors from different sources. Regarding to inhibitors isolated from leguminosae seeds we will perform comparative studies of serine proteinase inhibitors, their primary, secondary structures and modeling in order to identify specific amino acid residues. The design of flurogenic peptides based on the inhibitor reactive site structure, cloning and molecular modification for blood clotting enzyme assays will also be worked on proteins isolated from Brazilian snakes, leeches and caterpillars. The characterization of the interaction between isolated and developed inhibitors and enzymes will be investigated in different biological processes such as inflammation, receptor and cell membrane association with endothelial cells, tumors, bacteria, yeast and the developing of insect growing. (AU)