Physics, biophysics and glycobiochemistry: A multidisciplinary route to Serpinopathies, a class of conformational diseases

The origin of a large class of diseases is routed on the genetic modifications affecting a single protein molecule, its function and its conformation. Within this large ensemble, Serpinopathies are a group of diseases sharing an analogous molecular basis, due to the dysfunction of a particular protein, belonging to the serpin family. The behaviour and structure of these proteins is critically ruled by an important post-traslational modification, glycosylation. Recent results on the structure of serpin polymers and their mechanism of formation highlight the capability of a scientific strategy which bring together two different approachs, that of biophysics research focused on common aspects of different diseases and that of biochemistry focusing on the molecular specificity of each protein molecule and its fate within the cell.

SPEAKER

Dr Mauro Manno, LE STUDIUM RESEARCH FELLOW 

FROM : National Research Council of Italy

IN RESIDENCE AT: 
Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique - ICOA UMR7311 - CNRS, Université d’Orléans