One of our research goals has been to determine how specific proteins shuttle in and out of the nucleus of mammalian cells. We have been using molecular biology, fluorescence microscopy with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), and molecular modeling to examine how the polarity of amino acids and the structure of proteins allow them to bind to interact with transport proteins.

Confocal fluorescence microscopy also allows us to selectively bleach GFP in specific regions or compartments within the cell. The rate of return of fluorescence depends upon the protein being studied, the compartment bleached, and the state of the cell. We hope to use this information to help determine how cells regulate protein transport within the cell.

My research group for 2007: left to right, Mark, Devin, and Kim

Recent publications (undergraduate students are underlined):

• Arnoys EJ and Wang J. Dual localization: proteins in extracellular and intracellular compartments. Acta Histochemica 2007; 109: 89-110. Abstract
• Davidson PJ, Li SY, Lohse AG, Vandergaast R, Verde E, Pearson A, Patterson RJ, Wang JL, Arnoys EJ. Transport of galectin-3 between the nucleus and cytoplasm. I. Conditions and signals for nuclear import. Glycobiology 2006; 16: 602-11. Abstract Full text
• Li SY, Davidson PJ, Lin NY, Patterson RJ, Wang JL, Arnoys EJ. Transport of galectin-3 between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. II. Identification of the signal for nuclear export. Glycobiology 2006; 16: 612-22. Abstract Full text

Collaborators:

• Steve Matheson, Ph.D., Calvin College
• Ron Patterson, Ph.D., Michigan State University
• Jim Resau, Ph.D., Van Andel Research Institute
• Herman Spaink, Ph.D., Leiden University
• John Ubels, Ph.D., Calvin College
• John Wang, Ph.D., Michigan State University

Laboratory alumni:

• Dan Neef (from Valparaiso), Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Texas A&M , 2004; currently a post-doctoral fellow with Dennis J. Thiele, Ph.D., at Duke
• Jennifer Bender (from Valparaiso), pursuing M.D./Ph.D. in Microbiology at Illinois
• Rich Gray, Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Michigan State, 2006; currently a post-doctoral fellow with John Oates, Ph.D., at Vanderbilt
• Carissa Hockema Cheng, Registered Dietician
• Andrea Pearson, pursuing M.D./M.P.H. at Michigan State
• Kiki Chu, pursuing Ph.D. in Biochemistry with James M. Ntambi, Ph.D., at Wisconsin
• Rianna Vandergaast, pursuing Ph.D. in Biochemistry with Paul D. Friesen, Ph.D., at Wisconsin
• Heather Storteboom, M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineeriing; pursuing Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering with Amy Pruden, Ph.D., at Colorado State
• Peter Hoekman, pursuing M.D. at Michigan State
• Nick Be, pursuing Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Medicine with Bill Bishai, Ph.D., at Johns Hopkins
• Elisa Verde, pursuing M.D. at Michigan
• Andrew Lohse, pursuing Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Wisconsin
• Jon Dudley, pursuing M.S. in Ethics at Yale