Brian D. Cain, Ph.D.
Professor
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
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Brian D. Cain, Ph.D. |
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Ion Translocating ATPases
The primary project in the laboratory studies structure-function relationships in the Escherichia coli F1F0 ATP synthase as a model for mammalian Complex V of the respiratory chain. Defects in energy metabolism are associated with both inherited disorders and a variety of complex conditions such as aging, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Strong structural conservation suggests that observations on one member of the F1F0 ATP synthase family are applicable to all. Our goal is to understand the mechanism of coupling proton translocation to ATP synthesis. F1F0 ATP synthases have two narrow stalks connecting the F0 and F1 sectors. Our primary focus is on the peripheral stalk that serves as the stator holding the catalytic sites in F1 against the movement of the rotary stalk resulting from ion translocation through F0. The laboratory employs an approach combining mutagenesis, traditional biochemistry and biophysical methods to investigate protein-protein interactions and the plasticity of the peripheral stalk. A second project has been conducted as part of a long term collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Charles Wingo (Dept. of Medicine). The kidney is the primary organ governing ion balance. Our research program seeks to gain an understanding of the regulation of the kidney transporters and channels responsible for ion balance. Most of the work focuses on the renal H+,K+-ATPases and the induction of endothelin in response to hormones in the kidney. The experiments involve the use of modern molecular methods for investigating regulation of gene activity. Microarrays, reporter constructs and chromatin immunprecipitation have all been used to look at regulation of transcription of genes involved in ion homeostasis.
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Status: Possibly Accepting New Students This Year Contact Information: office: R3-254 lab: R3-285 phone: 352-392-6473 email: bcain@ufl.edu Home Page Biography: Dr. Cain received a BA in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado. He moved to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign for graduate studies earning a Ph.D. in Cell Biology in 1983. His dissertation focused on phospholipid metabolism and photosynthetic membrane biogenesis in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. In order to train in the application of modern molecular biology approaches to membrane science, he pursued postdoctoral studies on the F1F0 ATP synthase of Escherichia coli at Stanford University. Dr. Cain joined the faculty of the University of Florida as an Assistant Professor in 1988 and was promoted to Professor in 2000. His laboratory has enjoyed the support of numerous awards from the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society. Significant career activities include serving as Chairman of the NIH Physical Biochemistry Study Section, and participation on the NIH study sections for the Specialized Centers for the Protein Structure Initiative and the George M. O'Brien Kidney Centers. He also served a term on the editorial board for The Journal of Biological Chemistry. Dr. Cain is the chair-elect for the 2011 Molecular and Cellular Bioenergetics Gordon Conference. To date, ten doctoral students have completed their studies in the Cain laboratory. |
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