Investigating the MAPK pathway
The EC-funded MAPK SIGNALLING project combined a number of disciplines including proteomics and knock-out technology in order to shed light on the complexity of the MAPK pathway. The ultimate goal is to gain enough knowledge so as to isolate new targets for therapeutic intervention in a number of pathologies. Understanding the protein expression patterns throughout the MAPK pathway has been a goal of project partner University of Manchester. Studies revealed new information regarding protein function within the MAPK pathway. Further insight was gained in terms of internal protein organisation and interaction within the pathway. The study results can provide information on the suitability of the potential drug targets within the pathway and data relating to each protein in particular. Specifically, scientists learnt more about the potential side effects of therapeutics targeting specific proteins, following their proteomics studies. The University created a series of models mimicking the MAPK pathway, which again could find great application in the drug discovery/development process.
