October 2006 news
Oct. 31, 2006
Lesa Beamer's Lab
Lesa is co-PI on an NSF grant focusing on providing better opportunities for women faculty. The study aims to create gender equity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). More information about the study can be found here.
Recent publications
Lo, S.-C., Li, X., Henzl, M., Beamer, LJ and Hannink M. analysis of the Keap1:Nrf2 interface reveals a novel mechanism for substrate binding to substrate adaptor proteins, EMBO 25: 3605-3617 (2006).
Regni, C., Shackelford, G.S., and Beamer, L.J. Complexes of the enzyme PMM/PGM with a slow substrate and inhibitor, Acta Cryst. (2006). F62, 722-726
Mark Hannink's Lab
Recent publications
Lo SC and Hannink, M. Substrate adaptor recycling is required for efficient Keap1-dependent ubiquitination of Nrf2. Mol Cell Biol 2006; 26:1235-1244.
The work described in the MCB manuscript demonstrates that the Keap1 protein functions like a thermostat for maintaining the intracellular redox environment of human cells. It's activity can be turned down when cells are pushed towards oxidative stress, allowing cells to restore homeostasis. Keap1's activity can be turned up when homeostasis has been restored.
Lo, SC, Li X, Henzl M, Beamer LJ and Hannink M. Structure of the Keap1:Nrf2 interface provides mechanistic insight into Nrf2 signaling. EMBO J 2006; 25:3605–3617
The work in the EMBO manuscript describes the structure of a complex between Keap1 and one of its substrates, Nrf2. The high resolution structure provides a detailed picture of how Keap1 binds Nrf2 and will enable the development of novel chemopreventive agents.
Grant
1 RO1 AT003899; Annual Direct $:235,000; Total Annual: 331,672; Four years, starting 5/1/06.
Dennis Lubahn's Lab
Grant
National Institutes of Health
Title: Phytoestrogen and Antioxidant Regulation of Prostate Cancer Project
Period: 09/30/2006 - 08/31/2010
Total Awarded: $1,181,571
Joe Polacco's Lab
Recent publications
Todd, CD, Tipton PA, Blevins DG, Pineda M, Piedras P, Polacco JC (2006) Update on ureide degradation in legumes. J Exp Botany 57: 5 - 12.
Lombardo MC, Graziano M, Polacco JC, Lamattina L (2006) Nitric oxide functions as a positive regulator of root hair development. Plant Signaling & Behavior 1: 28-33.
Todd CD, Polacco JC (2006) AtAAH, an allantoate amidohydrolase from Arabidopsis thaliana. Planta 223: 1108 - 1113.
Palmieri L, Todd CD, Arrigoni R, Hoyos ME, Santoro A, Polacco JC (2006) Arabidopsis mitochondria have two basic amino acid transporters with partially overlapping specificities and differential expression in seedling development. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1757: 177-1283.
Grace Sun's Lab
MU Study Identifies Enzyme Responsible for Brain Deterioration in Alzheimer's Patients — University of Missouri researchers hope findings lead to a medical breakthrough
In a recent study, researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia identified an enzyme that is responsible for the deterioration of brain function for people with Alzheimer's disease. The study will be published in the Oct. 25 edition of the Journal of Neuroscience.
James Lee, assistant professor of biological engineering in the College of Engineering, and his former doctoral student Donghui Zhu, currently a post-doctoral research associate at Columbia University, conducted their research in collaboration with Grace Sun, professor of biochemistry and pathology and anatomical sciences in the MU School of Medicine and College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Sun also directs an Alzheimer's project at MU that is being funded by the National Institute of Health.
The research team's work focused on amyloid-beta peptide, a common neuron killing toxin found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, and astrocytes, which supports neurons and is the major cell in the brain. In lab tests, they studied how the toxin affects and interacts with the cell to activate a critical enzyme — phospholipase A2. Lab tests showed that with increased activity, phospholipase A2 negatively affected the mitochondria, which is responsible for energy production, resulting in increased oxidative stress. Zhu and Lee said an increase in oxidative stress further promotes neuron death, worsens the disease and causes decreased energy levels.
"It's an important aspect in the development of Alzheimer's disease," Zhu said.
An increase in oxidative stress, Lee said, is one of the characteristics found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Zhu and Lee hope their findings lead to a medical breakthrough and the design of effective drugs to treat people living with the brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory and ability to communicate and carry out daily activities.
"Alzheimer's is a complicated disease," Lee said. "We know that phospholipase A2 is one of the key factors. If we can regulate phospholipase A2, maybe it can become part of the therapeutic strategy for treating Alzheimer's."
Article courtesy MU News Bureau
Jay Thelen's Lab
Grant
NSF-PGR
Title: Identification and absolute quantification of protein phosphorylation networks in oilseeds.
Period: 2006-2011
Total Awarded: $1,999,479
Recent publications
Agrawal GK, Thelen JJ (2006) Large-scale identification and quantitative profiling of phosphoproteins expressed during seed filling in oilseed rape. Mol. Cell. Prot. In press
Kojima M, Casteel J, Miernyk JA, Thelen JJ (2006) The effects of down-regulating expression of Arabidopsis thaliana membrane-associated acyl-CoA binding protein 2 on acyl-lipid composition. Plant Science In press
Katavic V, Agrawal GK, Hajduch M, Harris SL, Thelen JJ (2006) Protein and lipid composition analysis of oil bodies from two Brassica napus cultivars. Proteomics 6: 4586-4598
Mooney BP, Miernyk JA, Greenlief CM, Thelen JJ (2006) Using quantitative proteomics of Arabidopsis roots and leaves to predict metabolic activity. Physiol. Plant. In press
Hajduch M, Casteel JE, Hurrelmeyer KE, Song Z, Agrawal GK, Thelen JJ (2006) Proteomic analysis of seed filling in Brassica napus: Developmental characterization of metabolic isozymes using high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Plant Physiol. 141:32-46
Steve Van Doren's Lab
Recent Publications:
Partially Unfolded Forms and Non-two-state Folding of a beta-Sandwich: FHA Domain from Arabidopsis Receptor Kinase-associated Protein Phosphatase. Liang X, Lee GI, Van Doren SR. J Mol Biol. 2006 Sep 3; [Epub ahead of print]
Eukaryotic cyclophilin as a molecular switch for effector activation. Coaker G, Zhu G, Ding Z, Van Doren SR, Staskawicz B. Mol Microbiol. 2006 Sep;61(6):1485-96.
(1)H, (13)C, and (15)N peak assignments and secondary structure of human macrophage metalloelastase (MMP-12) in its inhibitor-free state. Bhaskaran R, Van Doren SR. J Biomol NMR. 2006 Jul 20
Hsc70 contacts helix III of the J domain from polyomavirus T antigens: addressing a dilemma in the chaperone hypothesis of how they release E2F from pRb. Garimella R, Liu X, Qiao W, Liang X, Zuiderweg ER, Riley MI, Van Doren SR. Biochemistry. 2006 Jun 6;45(22):6917-29.
Recent grant
$500,000, "800 MHz NMR Spectrometer for Biomolecular NMR in Missouri" NIH/NCRR S10 RR022341-01
Gary Weisman's Lab
Congratulations
Olga Baker from Gary Weisman's lab received the "Most Outstanding Faculty-Translational/ Clinical Research Poster Award" on the Oral and Craniofacial Biology Symposium hosted by the UMKC School of Dentistry in celebration of its 125th Anniversary. The meeting was held in Kansas City Marriot Downtown hotel (Kansas City, Missouri) on October 9-10 2006. Danny Rome (former undergrad from the Weisman lab now at the UMKC Dental School) received the "Most Outstanding Student Biology Research Research Poster Award" at the same meeting.
Grant
National Institutes of Health, Department of Human Health Services 1R01 DE017591. Role: Principal Investigator of "Novel Mechanisms of Chronic Inflammation in Sjögren's Syndrome", (8/1/06-7/31/11); Total direct costs: $1,125,000.
Dr. Olga Baker DDS, PhD, two grants awarded:
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Mentored Clinical Scientist Award (KO8) titled: P2Y2R Mediated Immune Responses in Salivary Gland Dysfunction Start Date July 1,2006 Total awarded $ 263,118 / 3 years
- Sjogren’s Foundation Fellowship titled: Effect of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines on Polarized Epithelium Total $$ awarded $35,000 / 1 year