Abstract

Defects in protein glycosylation can have a dramatic impact on eukaryotic cells and is associated with mental and developmental pathologies in humans. The studies outlined below illustrate how a basic biochemical problem in the mechanisms of protein glycosylation, specifically substrate transporters of nucleotide sugars, including ATP and 3'-phosphoadenyl-5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS), in the membrane of the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum, expanded into diverse biological systems from mammals, including humans, to yeast, roundworms, and protozoa. Using these diverse model systems allowed my colleagues and me to answer fundamental biological questions that enabled us to formulate far-reaching hypotheses and expanded our knowledge of human diseases caused by malfunctions in the metabolic processes involved.

Highlights

  • Defects in protein glycosylation can have a dramatic impact on eukaryotic cells and is associated with mental and developmental pathologies in humans

  • When we incubated cells grown in monolayers with nucleotide sugars, in the presence of incubation buffers, we found that virtually all nucleotide sugars were degraded, and free radioactive sugar was found in the incubation medium

  • In collaboration with Stu Swiedler’s group, we showed that the enzyme had the above dual activity, that it functioned as a monomer in the Golgi membrane, and that its active site was on the C terminus

Read more

Summary

Edited by Herbert Tabor and the Reflections Committee

Defects in protein glycosylation can have a dramatic impact on eukaryotic cells and is associated with mental and developmental pathologies in humans. The studies outlined below illustrate how a basic biochemical problem in the mechanisms of protein glycosylation, substrate transporters of nucleotide sugars, including ATP and 3؅-phosphoadenyl-5؅phosphosulfate (PAPS), in the membrane of the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum, expanded into diverse biological systems from mammals, including humans, to yeast, roundworms, and protozoa. Using these diverse model systems allowed my colleagues and me to answer fundamental biological questions that enabled us to formulate far-reaching hypotheses and expanded our knowledge of human diseases caused by malfunctions in the metabolic processes involved

My early years
University in Chile
Postdoctoral studies
Real job
Unfulfilled dreams
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.