Recent failures of clinical trials against Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with γ-secretase inhibitors have shifted the focus to BACE1 as a key AD drug target. However, the complex phenotypes of BACE1-null mice and the numerous recently identified BACE1 substrates suggest that the inhibition of BACE1 may cause unacceptable side-effects. This emphasizes the need to investigate more thoroughly the mechanisms of action of this enzyme and the functions of its substrates. The goal of this project is to characterize the processing and distribution of the two top BACE1 substrates, seizure protein 6 (Sez6) and seizure 6-like protein (Sez6L) in a transgenic (tg) mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. In line with the recently identified accumulation of BACE1 in human and tg-mouse AD brains we propose that accumulation of BACE1 within presynaptic terminals and enhanced cleavage of its substrates at or near the synapse, in addition to APP, may add to synaptic (dys)function, learning and memory deficits, neurodegeneration and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. 

BACE1 The β-secretase, known as β-site amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme 1 (BACE1), plays a central role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis as it initiates processing of APP and the production of the toxic amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) that accumulate in the brains of AD patients. BACE1 has become a prime therapeutic target for lowering Aβ, and clinical development of BACE1 inhibitors is being intensely pursued as avenue for treatment of AD. Interestingly, a rare inherited - yet untreatable - lysosomal storage disorder Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) and AD have several key features in common. We have recently shown that APP cleavage by BACE1 is significantly enhanced in NPC1-model cells vs. wt cells..In light with the recently discovered similarities between AD and NPC, the goal of this project is to elucidate the role of BACE1 in the pathogenesis of NPC and whether BACE1 may represent a novel target for treating/ameliorating NPC disease.

The goal of this project is to elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) of neurodegeneration in Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPC). We will investigate the role of protease BACE1, the key Alzheimer's disease (AD) enzyme, in the pathogenesis of NPC disease. We hope that our findings will elucidate BACE1 as a novel target for treating/ameliorating NPC disease.

In this project  proposal we will investigate impact of Tff3 protein in liver/brain axis using Tff3 -/-mouse strain and modeling Type 1 and Type 2 diabesity conditions. We will correlate  the effect  of Tff3 deficiency on liver as major metabolic organ,  and hippocampus/cortex as affected brain regions is AD, monitoring neurodegenerative hallmarks and endoplasmatic reticulum stress markers. Using novel technology (XFe96 Extracellular Flux Analyzer) we will estimate impact of Tff3 on mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in living primary hepatocytes. This systemic approach will help us understand common pathways in diabesity and neurodegeneration and possibly reveal novel therapeutic targets.

Nucleoside-diphosphate kinases (Nme/Nm23/NDPK) constitute a family of evolutionary conserved enzymes involved in many crucial biological processes. The family consists of ten members divided in two groups. Group I, which encompasses Nme1-Nme4, has been extensively studied, especially Nme1 in the context of metastasis formation. The Group II members are evolutionary older, especially the Nme5, Nme6 and Nme7 and little is known about their structure and function. Numerous proteins from evolutionary distinct organisms exhibit extraordinary similarity in primary structure with their orthologues in mammals including humans, as do their predicted secondary and tertiary structures. Therefore, it is presumed that they have similar or identical biochemical and biological functions. Building upon our previous work on the human and sponge Nme family proteins, the proposed project will focus on resolving the structure, as well as biochemical and biological functions of the human Nme6 and its changes during evolution. We will employ a range of biochemical methods and combine them with modern molecular biology methods supported by advanced confocal microscopy techniques.

Serous ovarian cancer is urgent clinical problem whose molecular background is still unknown. Our previous studies showed aberrant activity of the Hedgehog-GLI (Hh-Gli) signaling pathway in ovarian tumors, but we have shown that aberrant activity is neither the result of mutations nor of promoter hypermethylation of the main pathway regulators. The next to study are microRNAs (miRNAs), one of the main regulators in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Our hypothesis is that changes in the expression of miRNA molecules related to the Hh-Gli signaling pathway contribute to the development of high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

This project is a comprehensive interdisciplinary research on the basis of HNC development and potential new approaches for their diagnosis and treatment.

The main focus of this project is to reveal interactions of p53 with protein partners in melanoma that are capable of modifying its function. We are particularly interested in possible interactions of p53 with family members, namely p53 and p73 isoforms, with nm23, especially nm23-H1 and nm23-H2, and Gli family of proteins.

The main focus of this project is to reveal interactions of p53 with protein partners in melanoma that are capable of modifying its function. We are particularly interested in possible interactions of p53 with family members, namely p53 and p73 isoforms, with nm23, especially nm23-H1 and nm23-H2, and Gli family of proteins.