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John Cox, Ph.D.,
Associate Professor
858 Madison Ave
Room 101 F Molecular Sciences Building
Memphis, TN 38163
Email: jcox@utmem.edu
Tel: 901-448-7080
Fax:
901-448-7360 |
Research Interests
Our laboratory is interested in defining how multi-membrane
spanning transporters and channels are restricted to specialized membrane
domains within cells. To address this question we have investigated the
molecular mechanisms involved in directing the intracellular trafficking of
variant chicken AE1 anion exchangers. These electroneutral anion exchangers are
involved in regulating intracellular pH and cell volume in erythroid and kidney
epithelial cells. Studies from our laboratory have shown that fifteen variant
transcripts are derived from the AE1 gene in chickens. The polypeptides encoded
by the variant transcripts differ only at the N-terminus of their cytoplasmic
domains, the region of the polypeptide known to interact with elements of the
cytoskeleton. A variety of approaches have indicated that the alternative
N-terminal cytoplasmic domains serve as sorting signals to direct these variant
transporters to specialized membrane compartments within cells. In addition, we
have demonstrated a role for both the actin and the ankyrin/spectrin-based
cytoskeleton in directing the localization and stability of these membrane
transporters. Recent analyses have shown that the association of AE1 variants
with the ankyrin/spectrin-based cytoskeleton is regulated by casein kinase 2,
which constitutively associates with ankyrin. Current studies are investigating
how specific extracellular stimuli modulate the activity of this kinase, which
appears to be a critical regulator of anion exchanger function.
PubMed search for Dr. John Cox
Education
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1975 B.S. in Biology, Department of Biology, University of
Illinois, Chicago
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1977 M.S. in Biology, Department of Biology, University of
Illinois, Chicago
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1983 Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Department of Biology, University of
Rochester
Advisor: Dr. Joanna B. Olmsted
Dissertation: “Human anticentromere antibodies: Distribution, characterization
of antigens, and effect on microtubule organization”
Dr. John Cox CV
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