The Golgi resident proteins from hepatocytes, small intestine and mammary gland epithelial cells are being mapped using 2D gel electrophoresis and identified using mass spectrometry. The data obtained will allow major unknown proteins to be identified and their functions determined. The availability of a Golgi protein database will allow the entire field to take a more rational approach to studying the multitude of functions that take place within this organelle. The second project is high resolution 3-D reconstructions of regions of the Golgi ribbon in various cell types and functional states using high voltage electron microscopy and tomography. This project is carried out in collaboration with the staff at the laboratory for 3D Fine Structure on the Boulder campus.
Structural features provide the hypothesis for detailed biochemical and molecular experiments.
Our focus will be to understand how these molecules interact and identify any missing components of this transport machinery. Together the data from these diverse approaches will help us understand the functions of the molecules required for exit from the Golgi in the constitutive pathway and understand the structural contexts in which they act. P.S. Furcinitti, J.R. McIntosh and K.E. Howell. Structural insights and identification of a lace-like vesicle coat. J. Cell Biol.