The second messenger NAADP in the SNC
Grant Churchill
Universidad de Oxford, Reino Unido
VIERNES 19 DE SEPTIEMBRE, 12h, SALA DE GRADOS FACULTADO DE MEDICINA, CAMPUS BELLATERRA, UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA
Dr Churchill obtained a Bachelors degree in Agriculture and a Masters degree in Crop Science from the University of Saskatchewan. His Masters research on structure-activity relationships for the plant hormone abscisic acid generated his interest in small molecule synthesis and how chemistry can be used to probe biological function. He then switched fields and obtained a PhD in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology from the University of Minnesota.
His PhD research focused on calcium regulation in the lens of the eye. Then, with combined interests in chemistry and calcium signalling, he came to Oxford to join Professor Antony Galione’s group as a postdoctoral research associate. Subsequently, he was awarded the Todd-Bird Junior Research Fellowship at New College, Oxford. His investigations at Oxford into pyridinerelated compounds that release calcium from internal stores have been, and continue to be, the focus of his research. Dr Churchill utilizes the synthesis of small molecules to provide unique tools to investigate biological questions. Not only are these compounds useful for understanding physiology but also may ultimately provide new lead compounds for drugs.
KEY RESEARCH AREAS
Determinations of cyclic ADP-ribose and NAADP levels
Endogenous synthesis and metabolism of NAADP
Signal transduction pathway underlying NAADP production
Spatial and temporal control of calcium increases by NAADP
Physiological roles of NAADP and lysosome-related calcium-storing organelles
Development of caged and cellpermeant messengers
BACKGROUND REFERENCES
Churchill, G.C., O’Neill, J.S., Masgrau, R., Patel, S., Thomas, J.M., Genazzani, A.A. Galione, A. (2003) Sperm delivers a new second messenger: NAADP. Curr. Biol. 13, 125-128.
Churchill, G.C., Okada, Y., Thomas, J.M., Genazzani, A.A., Patel, S. Galione, A. (2002) NAADP mobilizes Ca2+ from lysosome-related reserve granules in the sea urchin egg. Cell 111, 703-708.
Churchill, G.C. & Galione, A. (2001) NAADP induces Ca2+ oscillations via a two-pool mechanism by priming IP3- and cADPR-sensitive Ca2+ stores. EMBO J. 20, 2666-2671.
Churchill, G.C. & Galione, A. (2001) Prolonged inactivation of NAADP-induced Ca2+ release mediates a spatiotemporal Ca2+ memory.J. Biol. Chem. 276, 11223-11225.
Churchill, G.C. and Galione, A. (2000) Spatial control of calcium signalling by NAADP diffusion and gradients. J. Biol. Chem. 275, 38687-38692.
