Professor
Daniel L. PurichDepartment of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
TELEPHONE: (352) 392-1546
TELEFAX: (352) 392-2953
E-mail: dlpurich@biochem.med.ufl.eduLast Updated: September 1, 2000
Research
Interests
The lace-like cytoskeletal network is formed from supramolecular assemblages, including microtubules and the actin microfilaments which self-assemble from tubulin heterodimers and actin monomers, respectively. The cytoskeleton is an organelle that endows cells with the ability to attain and maintain their unique anisometry, to locomote, and to divide. We seek to understand the structural and dynamic properties of tubulin and actin that govern their basic assembly and disassembly processes. Much of our research is predicated on a long-term interest in learning how the tubulin GTPase and actin ATPase activities manage the free energy changes driving polymerization and depolymerization. We are also interested in the role(s) of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) as well as actin-regulatory proteins in specifying cytoskeletal function.
dGTP-MICROTUBULES
IN NEURITES OF NGF-TREATED NEURONS --- We
are exploring neuronal signal transduction mechanisms underlying the entry
of 2'-deoxyGTP into neuritic microtubules after treating PC12 pheochromocytoma
cells or embryonic chick dorsal ganglion neurons with nerve growth factor
(NGF).REGULATION
OF MAP-2 INTERACTIONS WITH MICROTUBULES--
Our group continues with its characterization of the interactions of brain-specific
MAP-2
with microtubules. We are particularly interested in defining the action
of signal transduction protein kinases in modulating MAP-2 binding to microtubules.
MAP-2
POLYMERIZATION & NEUROFIBRILLARY TANGLES--
We recently discovered the polymerization of MAP-2 into filament structures
resembling components of neurofibrillary tangles oberved in autopsy brain
of patients with Alzheimer's
Disease .
ACTIN-BASED
MOTILITY OF INTRACELLULAR PATHOGENS--- In
collaboration with Professor Fred Southwick, we are examining actin- based
motility of Listeria and Shigella to identify host cell components
necessary for the intracellular locomotion of these microbial pathogens.
Books
& Monographs
--HANDBOOK
OF BIOCHEMICAL KINETICS (by D. L. Purich & R. D. Allison)--This
first-of-a-kind handbook describes theory and protocols for kinetic studies
in the molecular life sciences. Included are extended treatments
of chemical kinetics, enzyme kinetics, kinetic isotope effects, allostery,
actin and tubulin polymerization, and biomineralization kinetics.
Over 1600 other entries define and/or describe kinetic and mechanistic
terms. Also included are the reactions catalyzed by nearly 1200 enzymes,
along with recommended reviews and practical information. (For
more details, click on: (ACADEMIC
PRESS, Inc.)--ADVANCES
IN ENZYMOLOGY--Several volumes covering all
aspects of enzymology are published annually. Current thematically organized
volumes include: vol 72: "Enzymes of Glutamine & Glutathione Metabolism"
(dedicated to the late Professor Alton Meister who edited Advances in
Enzymology for nearly 25 years); vol 73: "Mechanism of Enzyme Action---
Part A" and vol 74: "Mechanism of Enzyme Action--- Part B". Those interested
in contributing to future volumes should contact Dr. Purich [telephone
(352)-392-1546; dlpurich@biochem.med.ufl.edu.].
(For more details on this series, click on: J.
WILEY & SONS, Inc.)--METHODS
IN ENZYMOLOGY-- Parts
A-D of the "Enzyme Kinetics &
Mechanism" series are vols 63, 64, 87, 249; the new Selected Methods volume
is entitled "Contemporary Enzyme Kinetics & Mechanism (2nd ed.). Part
E will appear in 1997 under the title "Energetics of the Enzyme Reaction
Cycle" (co-edited with Professor Vern Schramm, Department of Biochemistry,
Albert Einstein College of Medicine). Those interested in contributing
to future volumes should contact Dr. Purich by e-mail [dlpurich@biochem.med.ufl.edu]
or telephone [(352)-392-1546]. (For more details, click on: (ACADEMIC
PRESS, Inc.)Selected
Research Publications
Purich
Laboratory: Current Members & Alumni