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Organization: University of Strathclyde Glasgow

Location: Glasgow, UK

Field: biochemistry

Requirements:

The project will take a multi-disciplinary approach, involving confocal microscopy, proteomics, molecular biology and biochemistry. The post is funded for 3 years by Diabetes UK.

Abstract:

*Identification of Novel Mechanisms Regulating Insulin Action *. S-palmitoylation, the attachment of palmitate to cysteine residues, has emerged as a prominent post-translational modification that regulates many diverse proteins and cellular pathways. Although some key proteins involved in insulin signalling are palmitoylated, the importance of cellular palmitoylation dynamics for insulin action is not defined.

Description:

The aim of this studentship is to build an understanding of how palmitoylation contributes to adipocyte physiology relevant to insulin action. This will begin by mapping the expression profiles of the 24 mammalian DHHC palmitoyl transferases, and identifying expression changes that occur during adipocyte differentiation. Recently developed techniques to study palmitoylation will be employed to purify the adipocyte palmitoylome. This will be followed by a targeted screen of the purified palmitoylome to identify known components of insulin signalling/Glut4 trafficking pathways that are palmitoylated. This targeted screening will be combined with an unbiased proteomics/mass spectrometry screen to identify novel proteins that undergo insulin-dependent changes in palmitoylation status. The role of palmitoylation in regulating specific proteins relevant to insulin action, and the global impact of palmitoylation on insulin signalling, Glut4 trafficking and fatty acid transport will be investigated. The work described will deliver entirely novel information on how palmitoylation contributes to insulin action in adipocyte.

Deadline: 07-04-2011

Contacts:

Link: http://www.strath.ac.uk

Email: Luke.Chamberlain@ed.ac.uk

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