Optimization of a high throughput screening platform to identify inhibitors of asymmetric diadenosine polyphosphatases.

When stressed, cells synthesize di-adenosine polyphosphates (ApA), and cellular organisms also express proteins that degrade these compounds to release ATP. Most of these proteins are members of the nudix hydrolase superfamily, and several are involved in bacterial pathogenesis, neurodevelopment, and cancer. The goal of this project is to assist in the discovery of inhibitors of these enzymes that could be used to study ApA function and the cellular role of these nudix enzymes.