Studies of enzyme interactions with toxic and pharmacologically active molecules

The aim of this project is to understand the mechanisms of interaction of physiologically important enzymes with toxicologically and pharmacologically active compounds. The enzymes in the focus of the study belong to the group of ATPases, peroxidases and cholinesterases. The modulation of their activity by various compounds, including anti-tumor complexes of platinum, ruthenium and gold, normoglycemic compounds (polyoxometalates), pesticides (organophosphates and carbamates), plant extracts with antioxidative, anti-viral and antimicrobial properties as well as group of polyphenols, synthetic drugs (cardiac glycosides from cardenolide group) and products of their photochemically induced degradation will be studied. The mechanism of enzymes activity modulation will be investigated in vitro by using various model systems, as well as in vivo by exposure of experimental animals to selected biomodulators. Some selected compounds will be used for developing the drug delivery model system by functionalization of silver and gold nanoparticles. Also, the study of enzyme immobilization onto solid supports will be examined in order to develop biosensors for food quality control. The knowledge of the mechanism of interactions of various compounds with enzymes offers better possibilities to understand their function in physiological and pathological processes in organism and helps to make recommendation for their potential use in prevention and clinical practice.