Biochemistry

Grace Y. Sun

Professor of Biochemistry

E-mail:sung@missouri.edu

Office: 135C Schweitzer Hall

Mail: Biochemistry
117 Schweitzer Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211

Phone: 573-882-5377

Fax: 573-882-5635

Educational background

Notable honors and service

• Editorial Boards
  • Neurochemistry Research
  • Neurochemistry International (1995-98)
• Organizing Committees
  
  • Oxidative Mechanisms for Neurodegenerative Disorders, 2004
  • International Symposium on Neurotransmission and Signal Transduction, 1989
  • International Symposium on Biomedical Research on Alcoholism, 1988
  • International Symposium on Neural Membrane, 1982
• Awards
  
  • President's Award for Sustained Excellence, University of Missouri System, 2012
  • Altrusa Award in Health, Columbia, Missouri Chapter, 2004
  • William H. Byler Distinguished Professor Award, University of Missouri, 2003
  • Seattle Pacific University distinguished alumni Medallion Award, 2001

Research summary

An important goal for this laboratory is to investigate malfunctioning of central nervous system signaling pathways associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Research description

The central nervous system (CNS) is comprised of complex cellular networks consisting of neurons and glial cells. Intricate biochemical pathways are known to mediate communications among these cells. Neurons and glial cells are active in their response to numerous extracellular signals, including neurotransmitters and growth factors, which are transmitted through activation of cell specific receptors and signaling pathways. Abnormal functioning of these signaling pathways can impart on a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, alcoholism and stroke. An important goal for this laboratory is to investigate the signaling pathways mediated by different types of receptors, especially the metabotropic G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and the ionotropic receptors, associated with generation of second messengers and mobilization of intracellular calcium. Current studies in this laboratory are focused on relating these pathways to activation of phospholipases A2 (PLA2), a group of enzymes important in mediating the release of arachidonic acid and biosynthesis of prostaglandins. Increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress have been regarded important pathological landmarks of many neurodegenerative diseases. One of our goals is to understand how oxidative mechanisms lead to activation of PLA2 and cyclooxygenase (COX) in neuron and glial cells and the significance of these pathways on Alzheimer's disease pathology and stroke. Cell and animal models will be used to investigate possible anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of a variety of botanical compounds. Research in this laboratory also uses animal models to examine whether nutritional supplement of these compounds may elicit neuroprotective effects. Our studies will employ basic biochemical as well as modern molecular techniques to examine gene and protein expressions. We believe that our effort to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying signal transduction pathways will contribute to new therapeutic strategies for combating neuronal damage due to stroke, alcoholism and Alzheimer's disease.

Selected publications

Askarova S, Sun Z, Sun GY, Meininger GA, Lee JC. Amyloid-β Peptide on Sialyl-Lewis(X)-Selectin-Mediated Membrane Tether Mechanics at the Cerebral Endothelial Cell Surface. PLoS One. 2013 Apr 12;8(4):e60972. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060972. Print 2013.

Peterson TS, Thebeau CN, Ajit D, Camden JM, Woods LT, Gibson Wood W, Petris MJ, Sun GY, Erb L, Weisman GA. P2Y₂ Nucleotide Receptor Upregulation and Activation Mediates Neurite Extension in IL-1β-treated Mouse Primary Cortical Neurons. J Neurochem. 2013 Mar 30. doi: 10.1111/jnc.12252.

Chuang DY, Chan MH, Zong Y, Sheng W, He Y, Jiang JH, Simonyi A, Gu Z, Fritsche KL, Cui J, Lee JC, Folk WR, Lubahn DB, Sun AY, Sun GY. Magnolia polyphenols attenuate oxidative and inflammatory responses in neurons and microglial cells. J Neuroinflammation. 2013 Jan 29;10:15. doi: 10.1186/1742-2094-10-15.

Müller WE, Eckert GP, Sun GY, Wood WG. Alzheimer's disease: new perspectives on therapeutic targets and pathways. Foreword. Mol Neurobiol. 2012 Aug;46(1):1-2. doi: 10.1007/s12035-012-8306-5.

Sun AY, Wang Q, Simonyi A, Sun GY. Botanical Phenolics and Neurodegeneration. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2011. Chapter 15.

Employment opportunities

Postdoctoral opportunities

Research areas: Neurodegenerative diseases, signal transduction, phospholipases A2, oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant botanical compounds.

How to apply:

Electronic submission is encouraged, e-mail to sung@missouri.edu

Applicants should send CV and names of two references to:
Dr. Grace Y. Sun
Biochemistry
117 Schweitzer Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211