Hughes
Phospholipid Biology
Research in the Phospholipid Biology Group is directed towards
understanding how phospholipids, and their regulatory enzymes, can
participate in controlling cellular processes. Currently, we are
investigating how phospholipids contribute to regulating vesicle
trafficking - particularly exocytosis. We use cell biology and
biochemical approaches to identify the signalling or biophysical
process that is dependent on the appropriate phospholipid.
Insulin exocytosis from pancreatic β-cells and the translocation of
GLUT4 glucose transporter in muscle and adipose cells are two
fundamental exocytotic vesicle trafficking processes. They play a
central role in controlling blood glucose homeostasis and are processes
that can be defective in diabetes. We are currently determining how
phosphatidic acid, produced by the enzyme PLD, participates in
regulating exocytotic fusion in β-cells and adipocytes. We are
characterizing the roles of phosphatidylinositol phosphates -
PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and PtdIns3P - produced by PI3-kinases, in regulating
GLUT4 exocytosis in muscle and adipose cells. We also continue to
investigate the function other key phospholipids and signalling
enzymes, such as PtdIns(4,5)P2, PtdInsP-phosphatases and diacylglycerol
activated protein kinase Cs (PKC), play in other vesicle trafficking
events.
Staff
Katarina Melé (50% Biotech Imaging, CSIRO) |
Research Officer James Burchfield (50% with James Group) |
| Research Officer Anne Shemon (currently at the Ben May Department for Cancer Research, Chicago) |
Michelle Fang |
Ashleigh Ryan |
Visiting Student Jennifer Allen (from University of Bath, UK) |
