A novel link between metabolism and host defence: O-GlcNAc glycosylation
- Research Opportunity
- PhD, Masters by Research, Honours, Master of Biomedical Science
- Number of Honour Places Available
- 2
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Location
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute
| Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Jose Villadangos | j.villadangos@unimelb.edu.au | Personal web page |
| Co-supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Justine Mintern | jmintern@unimelb.edu.au | Personal web page |
Project Details
O-GlcNAc glycosylation involves addition of a single sugar, β-N-acetylglucosamine, to serine or threonine residues of proteins. It is a unique type of glycosylation found on nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. The addition and removal of OGlcNAc is catalysed by OGlcNAc transferase (OGT) and OGlcNAse (OGA) respectively. It is a reversible modification akin to phosphorylation. Indeed, OGlcNAc glycosylation occurs in dynamic interplay with phosphorylation, either on the same or adjacent residues. The cross-talk between these two modifications in turn regulates various cellular processes. In this project we will characterise the function of OGlcNAc glycosylation in immune cells by identifying changes in patterns of glycosylation in different metabolic states and upon encounter of pathogens. The function of glycosylated proteins will be further studied to understand the relevance of their OGlcNAc status in various immune cell activities. Finally, we will characterize how OGT and OGA recognize their substrates and the mechanisms that regulate their function. These studies may allow us to design therapeutic drugs that target O-GlcNAc glycosylation to manipulate immune responses against pathogens or cancer.
Faculty Research Themes
Cancer, Infection and Immunology
School Research Themes
Cancer in Biomedicine, Infection & Immunity, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
Research Opportunities
PhD, Masters by Research, Honours, Master of Biomedical Science
Students who are interested in joining this project will need to consider their elegibility as well as other requirements before contacting the supervisor of this research
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research Group / Unit / Centre
Research Node
Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology InstituteMDHS Research library
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