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Gregory E. Conner, Ph.D.
Associate
Professor of Cell Biology & Anatomy and Medicine
Telephone: (305)243-6926
FAX: (305)545-7166
gconner@miami.edu
Conner
Lab Page
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Curriculum
Vitae
BA,
Molecular Biology, 1972; Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN
Ph.D., Biochemistry, 1978; University of Florida; Gainesville, FL
Post-Doctoral, Cell Biology, 1978-1981; The Rockefeller University;
New York, NY
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Research
Interests
This
research program is divided into two components: 1) a basic cell
biology component that focuses on intracellular trafficking of proteins
in the secretory pathway especially as it relates to the mechanisms
of lysosome biogenesis; and 2) a more clinically relevant component
on pulmonary cell biology with a main focus on the function and
composition of secretions in normal and diseased airways.
These
research areas provide opportunities for graduate fellows with diverse
interests to develop their own thesis research programs. A variety
of techniques are available for use on thesis projects including
recombinant DNA/molecular biology, immunochemistry, and various
types of microscopy, cell culture and subcellular fractionation.
Intracellular
Sorting of Proteins to Lysosomes
Lysosomes perform many important cellular function including antigen
processing, degradation of defective proteins, down regulation of
cell surface receptors, hormones and growth factors. These functions
depend on correct assembly of the organelle and consequently, deficiencies,
missorting, overproduction and inappropriate release of lysosomal
enzymes are implicated in diseases.
The
long-standing interest of this laboratory is to fully comprehend
the formation and maintenance of lysosome structure and function.
Failure to correctly form and maintain lysosomes results in the
so-called lysosomal storage diseases, typically fatal or totally
debilitating diseases. As a model system for these studies, we have
investigated the biosynthesis of the lysosomal proteinase cathepsin
D. We have recently shown that a major fraction of procathepsin
D is transported to the lysosome as a complex with another unrelated
lysosomal protein and the data suggest several ways that this complex
may play a role in the alternative mannose-6-phosphate independent
targeting pathway to the lysosome. Currently we are studying several
membrane-associated proteins that can biochemically cross-linked
to procathepsin D and may be important members of the alternative
targeting pathway to lysosomes.
Protection
of the Respiratory System
Secreted Enzymes of the Airway Mucosa
The airway mucosa represents one of the most important interfaces
between an animal and its environment. The mucosa must provide a
sophisticated defense against airborne material of a variety of
sizes and composition. Unsuccessful or inappropriate response of
the airway mucosa is detrimental to the airway and underlying tissues.
Over the last four last years, we have developed a program in pulmonary
cell biology that is a new and important focus of our research efforts.
The program studies components of airway secretions that may play
a role in respiratory diseases.
Hydrogen peroxide has been shown by others to be elevated during
airway inflammatory diseases such as asthma and is a major contributor
to the inflammatory reactions associated with a variety of airway
diseases. Our studies have identified the major hydrogen peroxide
scavenging activity in airway secretions. Current studies focus
on testing this hypothesis and further characterization of the protein
by amino acid sequencing and cDNA cloning of this peroxidase.
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Selected
Publications
Conner, G. E., C. Wijkstrom-Frei, S. H. Randell, V. E. Fernandez and M. Salathe. The lactoperoxidase system links anion transport to host defense in cystic fibrosis. FEBS letters 581: 271-278 (2007)
Schmid, A., G. Bai, N. Schmid, M. Zaccolo, L. E. Ostrowski, G. E. Conner, N. Fregien and M. Salathe. Real-time analysis of cAMP-mediated regulation of ciliary motility in single primary human airway epithelial cells. J Cell Sci 119: 4176-4186 (2006)
Forteza, R., M. Salathe, F. Miot, R. Forteza and G. E. Conner. Regulated hydrogen peroxide production by Duox in human airway epithelial cells. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 32: 462-469 (2005).
Campos, M. A., A. R. Abreu, M. C. Nlend, M. A. Cobas, G. E. Conner and P. L. Whitney. Purification and characterization of PLUNC from human tracheobronchial secretions. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 30: 184-192 (2004).
Fragoso, M. A., V. Fernandez, R. Forteza, S. H. Randell, M. Salathe and G. E. Conner. Transcellular thiocyanate transport by human airway epithelia. J Physiol 561: 183-194 (2004).
Sutto, Z., G. E. Conner and M. Salathe. Regulation of human airway ciliary beat frequency by intracellular pH. J Physiol 560: 519-532 (2004).
El-Chemaly S, Salathe M, Baier S, Conner GE, Forteza R. Hydrogen peroxide-scavenging properties of normal human airway secretions. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 167:425-30 (2003).
Horvath, G., Z. Sutto, A. Torbati, G. E. Conner, M. Salathe and A. Wanner. Norepinephrine transport by the extraneuronal monoamine transporter in human bronchial arterial smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 285: L829-837 (2003).
Wijkstrom-Frei, C., S. El-Chemaly, R. Ali-Rachedi, C. Gerson, M. A. Cobas, R. Forteza, M. Salathe and G. E. Conner. Lactoperoxidase and Human Airway Host Defense. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 29: 206-212 (2003).
Conner G.E., Salathe M., Forteza R. Lactoperoxidase and H2O2 metabolism in the airway. Am. J. Resp. Crit. Care Med. 166:S57-61 (2002).
Nlend M.C., Bookman R.J., Conner G.E., and Salathe M. Regulator of G-protein signaling protein 2 modulates purinergic calcium and ciliary beat frequency responses in airway epithelia. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 27: 436-445 (2002).
Salathe M., Forteza R. Conner G.E. Post-secretory fate of host defense components in mucus. Novartis Foundation Symposium 248:20-6 (2002).
Gerson, C., J. Sabater, M. Scuri, A. Torbati, R. Coffey, J.W. Abraham, I. Lauredo, R. Forteza, A. Wanner, M. Salathe, W. M. Abraham, and G. E. Conner. The Lactoperoxidase System Functions in Bacterial Clearance of Airways. Am. J. Resp. Cell Mol. Biol. 22: 665-671, 2000.
Forteza, R., Lauredo, I.,Abraham, W., and Conner, G.E. Bronchial Tissue Kallikrein Activity is Regulated by Hyaluronic Acid Binding. Am. J. Resp. Cell Mol. Biol. 21: 666-674, 1999.
View published research articles by Dr. Conner in the National Library of Medicine
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