1. Allosteric Mechanisms of proteins
Investigations on the activation or inhibition of proteins through an allosteric mechanism.
Auto-inhibition of p50RhoGAP
p50RhoGAP protein contains a GAP domain that is maintained at inhibition state by the adjacent BCH domain through a secondary β5-strand.
Inhibition of Glutaminase
The kidney type glutaminase contains a allosteric loop that moves to block the active site upon drug binding.
2. Cancer Biology
Research involving the understanding of how cancers occur, proliferate and metabolize with insights into cancer management.
Cancer Drug lead identification
Glutaminase when upregulated can supply cells with extra source of energy in the form of glutamine that is then utilized in the TCA cycle. inhibition of this protein is correlated with the reduction of tumour size. We have identified a novel drug that can bind to a new site in the protein to deactivate it. In the future it can lead to better design drugs to target this site and help in the management of cancer treatments.
Ubiquitination – a Key Cancer miscommunication
Investigation of CHIP mediated mechanism of ubiquitination is crucial for the regulation of normal cell cycle and maintenance.
Human neutrophile elastase
Investigation to improve upon the design of inhibitors against hNE for therapeutic applications where we reported the crystal structure of hNE in complex with an ecotin (ET)-derived peptide inhibitor. When secreted in excess, HNE can cause detrimental effects on host tissues, leading to chronic lung inflammation and non-small cell lung cancer.
3. Disease and Disorder research
Research focused on the better understanding of disease states and their management.
Diabetes
In-vitro and in-vivo studies on adult Wister rats using methanolic extracts form plants to better understand wholistic control of diabetes.
Neurological disorder
Cayman ataxia is a neuron disorder that affects the central nervous system leading to jitters and other behavioral patterns. Our work on BNIP-H or caytaxin sheds some light into the complicated mechanisms involved in this disorder.
Tuberculosis
Characterization of Fic (filamentation induced by cAMP) proteins from Mycobacterium smegmatis to understand the regulation of this toxin-antitoxin system.
