InterTask | Therapeutic molecules and druggable sites to suppress aberrant ion channel activity in cancer.

Summary
TASK-3 is a potassium channel member of the recently discovered two-pore potassium channels family (K2P) responsible for the background current maintaining the membrane resting potential. TASK-3 is involved in several neurological diseases but recent studies pointed out its oncogenic potential. TASK-3 aberrant expression was detected in breast, lung and colorectal cancer cells. This research proposal aims at 1) generate antibodies that can directly reduce TASK-3 function. The potency, the binding mode of the best antibodies will be characterized functionally and structurally to provide an atomic-resolution view of the mechanism of binding, paving the way for antibody engineering. The structural approach will also produce the three-dimensional structure of TASK-3, which will deepen our understanding on the biophysical properties of this channel and its involvement in several other pathologies. 2) Reduce TASK-3 activity by understanding the molecular basis of its trafficking to the membrane. The project aims at providing a structural and functional analysis of the complex between TASK-3 and the cation cotrasporter KCC2, a recently identified partner that affect TASK-3 trafficking to the membrane. Structural information on the complex will uncover regions of the channel involved in binding protein partners, opening the possibility of pursuing these protein-protein interactions surfaces as targets for drug discovery, with the ultimate goal of modulating ion channel activity. I will undertake a multidisciplinary study that spans protein biochemistry, structural biology, electrophysiology and antibody engineering. The project tackles – side by side - basic science questions (ion channel structure and regulation) and translational research (antibody-based therapy). It offers a molecular understanding of the structural and biophysical properties of TASK-3 -currently unavailable- and opens the venue to the therapeutic targeting of this ion channel.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101030017
Start date: 01-10-2021
End date: 30-09-2024
Total budget - Public funding: 275 209,92 Euro - 275 209,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

TASK-3 is a potassium channel member of the recently discovered two-pore potassium channels family (K2P) responsible for the background current maintaining the membrane resting potential. TASK-3 is involved in several neurological diseases but recent studies pointed out its oncogenic potential. TASK-3 aberrant expression was detected in breast, lung and colorectal cancer cells. This research proposal aims at 1) generate antibodies that can directly reduce TASK-3 function. The potency, the binding mode of the best antibodies will be characterized functionally and structurally to provide an atomic-resolution view of the mechanism of binding, paving the way for antibody engineering. The structural approach will also produce the three-dimensional structure of TASK-3, which will deepen our understanding on the biophysical properties of this channel and its involvement in several other pathologies. 2) Reduce TASK-3 activity by understanding the molecular basis of its trafficking to the membrane. The project aims at providing a structural and functional analysis of the complex between TASK-3 and the cation cotrasporter KCC2, a recently identified partner that affect TASK-3 trafficking to the membrane. Structural information on the complex will uncover regions of the channel involved in binding protein partners, opening the possibility of pursuing these protein-protein interactions surfaces as targets for drug discovery, with the ultimate goal of modulating ion channel activity. I will undertake a multidisciplinary study that spans protein biochemistry, structural biology, electrophysiology and antibody engineering. The project tackles – side by side - basic science questions (ion channel structure and regulation) and translational research (antibody-based therapy). It offers a molecular understanding of the structural and biophysical properties of TASK-3 -currently unavailable- and opens the venue to the therapeutic targeting of this ion channel.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2020

Update Date

28-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
MSCA-IF-2020 Individual Fellowships