2008 Faculty Researchers

Zezong Gu, MD, PhD

Brain Proteolysis after Stroke: A Putative Target for Early Diagnosis and Therapy.

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Department

Pathology and Anatomical Sciences

Office Location

M771-B, Medical Sciences Building

Phone #:

Office: (573) 884-3880
Fax: (573) 882-4612

E-Mail:

guze@health.missouri.edu

Summary

Reactive nitrogen/oxygen species play diverse roles in the regulation of biological processes ranging from development to disease. Research in Gu Laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanism of this redox modulation, particularly the roles of nitrosative and/or oxidative stress in cell signaling of brain proteolysis and the impact to neurological diseases including stroke. The summer research fellow will participate for a research project that aberrant proteolysis by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) causes degradation of MMP substrates linking to stroke. The fellow trainee will help to investigate: (1) abnormal proteolysis by molecular imaging techniques in stroke models; and (2) therapeutic potential of mechanism-based MMP inhibition. Ultimately, this research may lead to develop a novel strategy for clinical applications of diagnosis and therapy.

Gu Laboratory has established and/or adopted various model systems, such as primary cell cultures, and in vivo animal models of stroke. Multi-disciplinary approaches used in the laboratory include microsurgery, animals with genetic deficits, protein biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, pharmacology, immunocytochemistry, confocal/deconvolution microscopy, and comprehensive proteomic strategies. These experimental approaches allow us to conduct translational research and investigate the mechanisms underlying aberrant proteolysis and neuronal cell death by environmental risk factors like oxidative/nitrosative stress. Such experience will help the trainee to build future careers in medicine and biomedical development.

Suggested Readings:

Gu Z.Z., et al. Science 2002, 297:1186-90.

Gu Z.Z., et al. J. Neurosci. 2005, 25:6401-8.

Gu Z.Z., et al. Matrix Metalloproteinas in the Central Nervous System. pp. 67-83, Imperial College Press, July 2005, San Diego.

Yao D., et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2004, 101:10810-4.

Gu Z.Z., et al. Cell Death Diff. 2005, 12:1202-4. [A special issue for the 2004 Nobel Prize]

Uehara T., et al. Nature 2006, 441:315-7.

Lipton S.A., et al. Int’l Review Neurobiol. 2007, 82:1-27.