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G-protein Coupled Receptors' Section
James F. Battey, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Investigator
Staff:
Research Interests:
Our section is interested in elucidating the structure, function, and regulation of G protein coupled receptors, the largest family of proteins in the genome that mediate intracellular signaling. Our attention is focused primarily on the bombesin receptor subfamily and candidate taste receptors.
BOMBESIN RECEPTOR FAMILY: Mammalian bombesin receptors mediate a wide spectrun of physiologic processes, including hormone release, smooth muscle contraction, and cell division. There are three different bombesin receptors with distinct structural and pharmacologic properties: the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, the neuromedin B receptor, and bombesin receptor subtype 3. We have used site-directed mutagenesis to define structural motifs critical for ligand binding, G protein coupling, and receptor activity. At the present time, we are using gene targeting strategies to determine the function of each receptor in the context of an intact mouse. In addition, we are exploring the role of phosphorylation and additional receptor binding proteins in regulating receptor activity.
TASTE RECEPTORS: We are collaborating with Dr. Susan Sullivan in creating a cDNA library enriched for cDNAs from transcripts selectively expressed in taste cells. About 20,000 clones from this library will be sequenced in an effort to identify novel molecules (receptors, G protein subunits, effectors, channels, etc.) that are selectively expressed in taste receptor cells. Candidate molecules will be assessed for their importance in mediating sense of taste.
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