Event Title
Utilizing Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis Strategies to Produce Peptide Chains for Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK)
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Chemistry
Mentor Information
Laurie Witucki
Department
Chemistry
Location
Kirkhof Center 1142
Start Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
End Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
Keywords
Life Science, Physical Science
Abstract
The development of anti-cancer drugs is on the rise all around the world. Research is geared at stopping the spread of cancer cells within the body. An enzyme called focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase located within cells. FAK is designed to help the growth of cells but sometimes things go awry and cell growth can become uncontrolled. The theory that enhanced FAK signaling leads to the growth of cancer cells puts FAK as a target for anti-cancer drug development. The goal of this research is to develop peptide substrates for FAK using solid phase peptide synthesis. Hopefully, the substrates will be specific for FAK and bind efficiently. Once developed, the substrates will be converted to inhibitors, becoming potential anti-cancer therapies. Two peptide chains have been developed and consist of the following amino acid residues: IAYDELKKK and IDYVEWKKK. The synthesis of the two peptides and the FAK assays that will be performed is presented here.
Utilizing Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis Strategies to Produce Peptide Chains for Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK)
Kirkhof Center 1142
The development of anti-cancer drugs is on the rise all around the world. Research is geared at stopping the spread of cancer cells within the body. An enzyme called focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase located within cells. FAK is designed to help the growth of cells but sometimes things go awry and cell growth can become uncontrolled. The theory that enhanced FAK signaling leads to the growth of cancer cells puts FAK as a target for anti-cancer drug development. The goal of this research is to develop peptide substrates for FAK using solid phase peptide synthesis. Hopefully, the substrates will be specific for FAK and bind efficiently. Once developed, the substrates will be converted to inhibitors, becoming potential anti-cancer therapies. Two peptide chains have been developed and consist of the following amino acid residues: IAYDELKKK and IDYVEWKKK. The synthesis of the two peptides and the FAK assays that will be performed is presented here.