UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
RESEARCH SEMINARS
Abstract form
Title: Proteomics and drug discovery, with emphasis on the discovery of
ion channel modulators
Presenter: Dr. Roland Zbigniew Kozlowski
Contact address: Department of Pharmacology, University of Bristol, School of
Medical Sciences, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
Tel: (+44)-117-9546875 / (+44)-117-9546874
Fax:
Email: roland.kozlowski@bristol.ac.uk
Presentation date: 25 April 2005
Abstract
Proteomics can be defined as the study of proteins in a massively parallel manner, although
many techniques now fall under this definition. This seminar will describe some of the
techniques used in proteomics and will focus on their use to identify novel modulators of ion
channels. Specifically, K channel openers have been widely investigated as a
potential treatment for a number of disorders. Voltage-gated (Kv) channels exist as
tetrameric pore-forming complexes that are associated with cytosolic accessory proteins.
Specific accessory proteins, such as the Kv channel beta subunits, are able to modulate the
channel kinetics of certain pore-forming Kv channel subunits. A proteomics approach to
carry out functional analysis of ion channel protein-protein interactions, including those
between Kv beta subunits and their interacting counterparts on the Kv channel alpha subunit
will be described and data presented.