Research in this laboratory focuses on how G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) are activated, and how the binding signal is transduced to trigger cellular functions. Approximately 2% of the human genome encode GPCRs, which constitute the largest family of cell surface receptors and have such important functions as neurotransmission, light and color vision, olfaction, homing of lymphocytes and regulation of the reproductive system.

One of our major interests is to understand how chemoattractants activate phagocytes and generate various cellular responses such as directed cell migration and degranulation. We investigate the interactions of chemoattractant receptors, a subgroup of GPCR, with different G proteins and cytoskeletal elements. This study uses several approaches including molecular cloning, bioinformatics, confocal microscopy, and biophysical measurements of real-time changes of intracellular signaling molecules.

Another research project in our lab aims at understanding how G proteins regulate transcription. Our primary interest is to delineate the signaling pathways that link G protein activation to nuclear signaling, particularly events that lead to activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-{kappa} B). Recently, we found that G proteins activate NF-{kappa} B through different signaling mechanisms that converge to I {kappa} B degradation and nuclear activation of the transcription factor. We are in the process of defining the functions of several serine/threonine kinases and GTPases that are involved in transcription activation.

Lab Members