Understanding how human cells organize, shape, and move their membrane-bound organelles is one of the most fundamental problems in biology. To address this challenge, my laboratory studies how the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons control membrane remodeling and organelle dynamics. As cells age, their ability to properly regulate these processes changes. This is especially true for kidney cells and immune cells, as a variety of renal and inflammatory diseases develop with age. However, the differences in cytoskeletal functions that give rise to these cellular changes during the aging process are poorly understood. In human cells, actin filament networks are assembled by proteins called nucleation factors from the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP) family. Despite their importance in remodeling membranes during a wide range of processes, these nucleation factors have not been well characterized, especially as they relate to aging and mechanisms of human disease. I have a long-standing interest in determining how the cytoskeleton drives membrane dynamics in normal cells, and how these functions are altered in the context of infectious and genetic diseases. The immediate goal of this Career Development Award is to allow me to initiate another avenue of investigation on the role of the cytoskeleton in cell aging so that I can achieve my long-term goal of leading a lab which studies cytoskeletal functions in health, aging, and disease. These goals will be achieved by completing four specific aims: (1) Define roles for actin nucleation factors and regulators of autophagy in kidney disease, including Nephrocerebellar Syndrome (NCS); (2) Determine functional links between the cytoskeleton, autophagy, cytokine secretion, and inflammation during infection and aging; (3) Deepen my training in the biology of aging through collaborative training experiences at the Jackson Laboratory's Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging and at the Center on Aging at the UConn Health Center; (4) Develop into an independent investigator in the basic biology of cell aging. Given my expertise in cytoskeletal biology, plus my existing grant on the role of actin nucleation in autophagy and disease, my lab is uniquely positioned to provide key mechanistic insights into the relationships among actin nucleation factors, autophagy, kidney function, inflammation, and aging.

Public Health Relevance

The cytoskeleton (?cell skeleton?) is crucial for shaping and moving our cells and organelles. As cells age, their ability to properly control these processes changes. This is especially true for kidney cells and immune cells, as a variety of renal and inflammatory diseases develop with age. However, the differences in cytoskeletal functions that give rise to these cellular changes during the aging process are poorly understood. We are studying how cytoskeletal proteins allow the normal functioning of our cells, and how their activities are altered in the context of genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and aging-associated conditions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research (K02)
Project #
1K02AG050774-01A1
Application #
9179926
Study Section
Biological Aging Review Committee (NIA-B)
Program Officer
Velazquez, Jose M
Project Start
2016-09-15
Project End
2021-04-30
Budget Start
2016-09-15
Budget End
2017-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$150,935
Indirect Cost
$11,180
Name
University of Connecticut
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
614209054
City
Storrs-Mansfield
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06269
Velle, Katrina B; Campellone, Kenneth G (2017) Extracellular motility and cell-to-cell transmission of enterohemorrhagic E. coli is driven by EspFU-mediated actin assembly. PLoS Pathog 13:e1006501
Mathiowetz, Alyssa J; Baple, Emma; Russo, Ashley J et al. (2017) An Amish founder mutation disrupts a PI(3)P-WHAMM-Arp2/3 complex-driven autophagosomal remodeling pathway. Mol Biol Cell 28:2492-2507