University of Pittsburgh Department of Cell Biology

  • Research

    Polarized epithelial cells are characterized by a distinct population of proteins and lipids at the apical and basolateral surfaces. Research in the Hughey lab is focused on characterization of three distinct types of apical proteins, including a transmembrane mucin (MUC1), a heterotrimeric epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), and the small hydrolase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT). Using heterologous expression in cultured cell lines, we are characterizing the features of these proteins that regulate their maturation (including proteolytic and palmitoylation), delivery to the cell surface, and subsequent membrane trafficking.

  • Publications

    1. Carattino, MD, Passero, C, Steren, CA, Maarouf, AB, Pilewski, JM, Myerburg, MM, Hughey, RP and Kleyman, TR. Identification and characterization of an inhibitory domain in the alpha subunit of the epithelial sodium channel. Am J Physiol Renal Physiology Am J Physiol Renal Physiology 294:F47-F52, 2008.
    2. Lowry, MH, McAllister, BP, Jean, JC, Brown, LAS, Hughey, RP, Cruikshank, WW, Amar, S, Luce,y E, Wight, TN and Joyce-Brady, M. Lung Lining Fluid Glutathione Attenuates IL-13 Induced Asthma. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 38(5):509-16, 2008.
    3. Mueller, GM, Kashlan, OB, Bruns, JB, Maarouf, AB, Aridor, M, Kleyman, TR and Hughey, RP, Epithelial sodium channel exit from the endoplasmic reticulum is regulated by a signal within the carboxyl cytoplasmic domain of the alpha subunit, J Biol Chem 282:33475-33483, 2007.
    4. Bruns, JB, Carattino, MD, Sheng, S, Maarouf, A.B., Weisz, OA, Pilewski, JM, Hughey*, RP and Kleyman, TR. Epithelial Na+ channels are fully activated by furin- and prostasin-dependent release of an inhibitory peptide from the gamma subunit. J Biol Chem 282: 6153-60, 2007 (*corresponding author)
    5. Kinlough, CL, McMahan, RJ, Poland, PA, Bruns, JB, Harkleroad, KL, Stremple, RJ, Kashlan, OB, Weixel, KM, Weisz, OA and Hughey, RP MUC1 recycling is dependent on its palmitoylation. J. Biol. Chem. 281: 12112-22, 2006.

     

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