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PhD Transfer Exam – Andrea D’Aquila (Lovejoy lab)
October 6, 2015 @ 1:10 pm - 2:10 pm
PhD Transfer Exam
Wednesday October 7th, 1:10 pm – Room 432, Ramsay Wright Building, University of Toronto
Andrea D’Aquila (Lovejoy lab)
“ TCAP-Latrophilin ligand receptor interaction: Role of glucose in regulation of skeletal muscle contraction”
Abstract
Encoded in the terminal exon of the four vertebrate teneurin proteins is a bioactive peptide termed teneurin carboxyl-terminal associated peptide (TCAPs 1-4). TCAP-1 is involved in signaling pathways associated with glucose metabolism, stress, and neuroprotection. Evidence indicates that the TCAPs bind and activate latrophilin (LPHN), an adhesion class G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) related to GPCRs whose ligands are structurally related to TCAP. The teneurin-latrophilin adhesion pair is the only integrative protein unit that has been conserved between invertebrates and vertebrates with respect to neuronal signaling. Previous studies indicate that teneurins are present in skeletal muscle, however latrophilin expression in skeletal muscle has not yet been determined. Therefore, I will investigate the roles that TCAP and latrophilin interaction play in skeletal muscle, as the mechanism by which they interact and stimulate a signal transduction is currently unknown. Skeletal muscle is essential in determining the overall metabolism of an organism, and thus it is critical to understand the roles that TCAP-1 may play in these tissues. My first aim in this research is to establish if the TCAP-latrophilin ligand receptor complex is present and functional in skeletal muscle. Secondly, I will elucidate the mechanism of TCAP-mediated glucose uptake into skeletal muscle. Lastly, I will investigate the physiological effects on vertebrate and invertebrate muscle contractions, including effects on fatigue and damage.
Ramsay Wright is a wheelchair accessible building.