During her PhD studies, Sara Dam Kobberø researched the protein pregnancy-associated plasma protein (PAPP-A). PAPP-A is a proteolytic enzyme that releases insulin-like growth factor (IGF) by specific cleavage of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), thereby releasing active IGF. IGF plays a key role in human growth and is involved in age-related diseases, e.g. cancer and cardiovascular disease. Through cryogenic-electron microscopy and biochemical studies Sara Dam Kobberø studied the interaction between PAPP-A and its inhibitor, STC2, and main substrate, IGFBP-4.

The new research findings contribute to the understanding of how the specific proteolytic activity of PAPP-A towards IGFBP-4 is highly regulated, and thereby the release of active IGF.   

The PhD study was completed at Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Wednesday, 25 October 2023 at 10.30
Place: Building 1870, room 816, Faculty Club, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Structural and functional studies of the protease PAPP-A – Characterization of inhibitor and substrate interactions
Contact information: Sara Dam Kobberø e-mail: SDK@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 40795460

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Briony Forbes, Flinders University, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia

Professor Kåre Lehmann Nielsen, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Denmark

Senior Resaercher Jan Trige Rasmussen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Professor Claus Oxvig, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS, Jens Baggesens Vej 53, building 5221, 8200 Aarhus N.