Research Interests
The focus of research in my laboratory is on the molecular pharmacology and physiology of nucleotide receptors in cardiovascular system. We have active interest in the molecular mechanisms of ADP induced platelet activation. We have demonstrated three nucleotide receptors on platelets and cloned the P2Y1 receptor, coupled to activation of phospholipase C from a platelet library. We have demonstrated that the P2Y1 receptor plays an essential role in the ADP-induced platelet shape change and aggregation. Our long term goals in this project include delineation of signal transduction pathways from the three nucleotide receptors, identification of ligand binding sites on the P2Y1 receptor, cloning of the P2Y12 receptor coupled to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, and characterization of the desensitization mechanisms of the P2Y receptors in platelets. Our lab interests in this field include the signaling events downstream of these receptors and the domains on these receptors coupling to corresponding G proteins and the ligands.
In the general field of platelet signaling, we are interested in the signaling events downstream of G12 and G13 proteins. We propose that signaling events downstream of G12/13 contribute to dense granule secretion, thromboxane generation, and Akt phosphorylation. We have identified interactions of G12/13 to HS-1 protein and shown that HS-1 null mice have increased bleeding times and abnormal platelet functions. Our future directions include identification of specific signaling molecules downstream of G12/13 that contribute to platelet function.
This work is supported by several research grants from National Institutes of Health.
Education, Training & Credentials
- PhD, Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, 1984
- MSc, Chemistry, Andhra University, Waltair, India, 1975-1977
- BSc, Chemistry, Andhra University, Kakinada, India, 1972-1975