Alterations in the function, expression or signaling through adhesion receptors contribute to diseases such as thrombotic heart disease and cancer. Thus, it is important to understand how these receptors receive and transmit cellular signals. In this laboratory, we are mapping signal transduction pathways sent to and via adhesion receptors. The types of adhesion receptors that we study most often are called integrins, which are present on most cell types. The cells that we currently study include platelets, which contribute to heart attacks and stroke, breast cancer cells, and a variety of cultured cell lines.
Techniques used include an array of molecular and biochemical approaches.
For example, we are using the yeast two-hybrid system and phage display libraries to identify proteins and protein motifs that bind to cytoplasmic domains of integrins. In addition, we are studying the activation of low molecular weight G proteins, kinases, phosphatases and phospholipases in signal transduction pathways. We are also constructing chimeric integrins using a PCR-based approach, to identify regions of integrins important in signal transduction. In a separate project we are studying sickle cell adhesion to the blood vessel wall. We have identified adhesion receptors on sickle cells that are not present on normal red cells.