Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Characterizing the functional role of the novel dopaminergic transmembrane protein p20MANI (Myelin-Associated Neurite Inhibitor) |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Subrata Pramanik, Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, Assam |
Timeline Start Year : | 2022 |
Timeline End Year : | 2024 |
Contact info : | subrata.pramanik@iitg.ac.in |
Equipments : | qPCR analysis machine, Western blot detection device, Microscope, table centrifuge |
Details
Executive Summary : | Parkinson's disease (PD) remains a significant neurodegenerative disorder with no effective cure, largely due to the lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms contributing to its specific pathology. The selective loss of dopaminergic neurons, first described in the 1950s, is the most elusive aspect of PD. Researchers hypothesize that the disruption in brain region-specific gene function homeostasis, due to unknown genetic predispositions, contributes to the onset of PD pathology. The research aims to decrypt a novel therapeutic target for PD by targeting the DA neuro-transmembrane p20MANI protein. Using an appropriate in vitro and animal PD model combined with a CRISPR/Cas/lentivirus-based p20MANI-knockout and/or siRNA/shRNA technology, the researchers will reveal a novel potential therapeutic target – the new p20MANI DA neuro-transmembrane protein – for the diagnosis and treatment of PD. The study focuses on the tissue-specific expression pattern of p20MANI, which showed high expression in the brain and was found to be predominantly localized to the neural cell membrane/myelin sheath within the basal ganglia/substantia nigra (SN) brain area. The main experiments will involve genomic and proteomics characterization of pMANI, development of a p20Mani-specific monoclonal antibody, development of p20Mani-specific PCR primers for RT-PCR analyses, development of p20Mani-specific knock-out/down in vitro and in vivo models, and data analysis and characterization of pMANI's functions. |
Total Budget (INR): | 32,49,400 |
Organizations involved