New molecular targets cloning and expression for inflammatory diseases treatment and functional assays validation for selective binders identification

• Grant number: 16/07492-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2016
• End date: December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Fernando de Queiroz Cunha
• Grantee: Joana Gasperazzo Ferreira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/08216-2 - CRID - Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Inflammatory diseases are a complex and heterogeneous group of diseases that causes morbidity and mortality and represent an important socioeconomic problem. The mission of the Center of Research in Inflammatory Diseases (CRID) is to perform translational research, basic and clinical research in the area of inflammatory diseases. In the last years several studies in CRID labs have characterized the role of some molecules in the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases. Based on these targets, one aim of CRID is to plan/design (in silico WP3) and to test (in vitro, WP5) novel compounds able to interact selectively with these targets. Among the targets characterized by CRID, we could mention the Aryl hidrocarboneto receptor (AhR) and the enzyme RIPK2, which play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Currently, we have perfumed in silico studies and possible candidate molecules have been selected as possible modulators of these targets. In this context, the present plan of activities has two main aims: 1) to develop and validate a cellular assay for the characterization of AhR modulators as well as to test the molecules planed in silico.; 2) To clone, express the recombinant RIPK2 and to develop an enzymatic activity assay to test the possible inhibitors. (AU)