Cellular & Molecular Engineering Laboratory

Emily McCusker

Education
PhD candidate in Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE Thesis Advisor: Dr. Anne Skaja Robinson

2002 - Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Bradley Univserity, Peoria, IL

Research:

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in almost every cellular process in the human body so an understanding of their functionality is desirable.  In order to study this important class of proteins a copious amount of protein needs to be available.  Unfortunately, membrane proteins are notoriously difficult to express in heterologous systems and when expression is achieved it is typically in low yield and completely inactive.  Adenosine A2a receptor (A2aR) is an exception.  A2aR is fully functional after expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.  It is unclear what factors contribute to why S. cerevisae produces functional A2aR, while the tachykinin receptor (NK1R), another member of the rhodopsin-like receptors, is not functional and not localized to the plasma membrane.  I plan to gain insight into heterologous expression of the two receptors by setting up a non-radioactive functional screen in S. cerevisae that will enable quick detection of functional mutant NK1R receptors.  Furthermore, this screen will be useful to identify other active GPCRs quickly. As a part of my overall efforts to understand expression limitation in this important signaling system, I am in the process of developing an improved method for high-level production of the alpha subunit of the G protein.  The alpha subunit is the major determinant of which G protein is activated and which physiological response is initiated.    

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