Our laboratory is interested in heterotrimeric G proteins, a family of signaling proteins that transduce messages from receptors for extracellular stimuli into cellular responses mediated by effector enzymes or ion channels. Responding to receptors for photons, odorants, neurotransmitters, and many hormones, these G proteins relay signals to adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C, K+ channels, and other effectors. Our research focuses on mechanisms of G protein-mediated cell proliferation and programmed cell death (apoptosis). In our laboratory we:

1. use the combination of biochemical, cellular, and genetic approaches to investigate the specific signaling pathways leading to G protein-induced mitogenesis or apoptosis.


2. use yeast two-hybrid screening to identify the effector molecules interacting with G proteins.

These studies are critical for understanding of the control of tissue proliferation and apoptosis and for design of novel strategies to control proliferation of cancerous cells.

Lab Members