Birthday: 02/01
Year entered program: July 2000
B.S., Pharmacology from SUNY Stony Brook
Graduate Advisor: Dave Williams
Research Interests:
“SR-BI Mediated Changes in Plasma Membrane”
Scavenger receptor class BI (SR-BI) plays a key role in systemic cholesterol
transport by mediating the selective uptake of cholesteryl ester (CE) from HDL
into the liver and steroidogenic cells. In the present study we have explored
the basis for these membrane changes by examining the various activities of
SR-BI in Sf9 cells and by testing whether SR-BI alters membrane phospholipid
composition. The results showed that, as in mammalian cells, SR-BI expression
increased HDL CE selective uptake, cellular cholesterol mass, cholesterol efflux
to HDL, and sensitivity of membrane FC to cholesterol oxidase. Interestingly,
SR-BI expression decreased FC efflux to phospholipid vesicles, a result opposite
to that seen in mammalian cells. Future experiments will include the analysis
pf membrane phospholipids by tandem mass spectrometry in both positive and negative
ion modes. The conclusion of this study will give insight into the mechanisms
by which SR-BI elicits its effect on the plasma membrane.
Conferences Attended:
Gordon Conference: Lipoproteins 2002
Poster: Scavenger Receptor BI Mediates Changes in SF9 Membranes
American Heart Association: 2002
Cell Bio Retreat 2001, Sept 9 – 11 Shelter Island, NY