Nutrient dependent signalling in bone via calcium sensing receptors [ 2002 - 2004 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Rebecca Mason (Principal investigator) ,  Arthur David Conigrave ,  Prof Arthur Conigrave ,  Professor Arthur Conigrave

Brief description Osteoporosis is a major health problem that affects as many as 10% of the Australian Community and costs the health budget millions of dollars each year. A number of key nutritional factors including calcium and dietary protein intake are known to be important in the development of osteoporosis. This proposal will test the hypothesis that human bone cells express a protein which senses calcium and amino acids, the calcium-sensing receptor, and thereby respond to nuritional signals arising from the presence of calcium ions and amino acids in plasma. Furthermore, we propose that by promoting osteoblast proliferation, maturation and survival, the calcium sensing receptor acts as the key molecular mechanism by which dietary calcium and protein promotes bone formation.These studies have potential to explain relationships between bpne resorptive activity, which raises local calcium concentrations, and bone formation activity and the coupling of bone forming and resorbing activity. These studies have the potential to explain the positive effects of calcium and protein intake on bone mass and may also shed light on the regulation of the coupling between osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity

Funding Amount $AUD 226,650.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant