Anthony Pegg, PhD

    Calculated based on number of publications stored in Pure and citations from Scopus
    1965 …2018

    Research activity per year

    If you made any changes in Pure these will be visible here soon.

    Personal profile

    Research interests

    Dr. Anthony Pegg's research interests include polyamine metabolism and DNA repair research on the cellular physiology of polyamines.

    Polyamines are small basic molecules essential for cell growth and differentiation. Their concentration is very tightly regulated within the cell and is altered by endocrine and other factors having trophic effects. The research is aimed at understanding metabolic pathways responsible for polyamine biosynthesis, degradation, and interconversion; factors responsible for regulating polyamine levels; polyamine roles in growth and differentiation; and design and application of specific inhibitors of polyamine production. Such inhibitors have already been shown to have potential therapeutic value and to be useful as research tools in studying polyamine function.

    A second area of research concerns DNA repair enzymes' role in protecting against carcinogenesis by N-nitroso-compounds and other alkylating agents. An alkyltransferase, which removes alkyl groups from DNA, has been isolated and it has been shown that the level of this protein is both species and cell specific. There is a good correlation between the alkyltransferase content and resistance to carcinogenesis and mutagenesis by alkylating agents. Current research is aimed at studying the specificity of this system, factors controlling its activity, and investigating whether it is missing or reduced in certain hereditary conditions. Also, the possibility that transient inactivation of this DNA repair function can be used for cancer chemotherapy to augment the action of therapeutic alkylating agents is being investigated. A potent inhibitor, O6-benzylguanine, has been developed in Dr. Pegg's laboratory and in Phase 1 trials has been shown to be effective in depleting tumor cell alkyltransferase activity in patients with cancer. It is currently undergoing Phase 2 trials to determine its efficacy in improving chemotherapy.

    Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

    In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

    • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    • SDG 14 - Life Below Water

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics where Anthony Pegg is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
    • 1 Similar Profiles