Projects
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Human cathepsins in cancerCathepsins take an active part in processes, which are important for tumor development and progression, including cell proliferation, angiogenesis and invasion. They play a causal role in human tumors by several mechanisms including extracellular matrix degradation and modulation of growth factors, cytokines and their receptors. Cathepsins are upregulated in a variety of cancers, and their levels and localization have been clinically shown to be of diagnostic and prognostic value. The project is aimed at designing novel biochemical tools for the regulation of cathepsin activity that can be applied in the development of more efficacious anticancer therapies. |
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Proteases of blood feeding parasitesIngested hemoglobin is the main food source for blood feeding parasites. The cathepsins function as digestive proteases of parasites that have evolved to degrade hemoglobin. They represent a new pharmacological target for suppression of parasite metabolism. The project focuses on discovery of key parasite cathepsins and their regulation through selective inhibitors or vaccines. The investigated parasites include: (a) Schistosoma helminths, the causal agent of schistosomiasis, which afflicts more than 250 million people in the tropics, and (b) Ixodes ticks, the vector of encephalitis and Lyme disease (borreliosis) in Europe, North America and Asia. |
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Allergenic proteasesThe allergens produced by mites are a major contributor to the rising incidence of allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma or atopic dermatitis. Among them the enzymatically active proteases including cathepsins play a critical role. They are involved in a broad range of immunomodulatory functions as they interact with bronchial epithelial cells and immune cells. The project is focused on identification of novel mite proteases as well as their selective inhibition as a potential strategy for regulation of allergic hypersensitivity. |
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Proteolysis in plant-insect interactionThe insect herbivores employ cathepsin-like proteases to digest the plant food. The protease inhibitors biosynthesized in plant tissues inhibit the insect proteases and function as natural defensive proteins of plants. They are attractive protein insecticides for construction of new transgenic crops resistant to insect pests. The project is focused on biochemistry of plant protease inhibitors and their target proteases, and dynamics of complex proteolytic interaction between plants and insects. |