Function and regulation of epithelial glycosylation

Summary/abstract This research program focuses on uncovering the biological roles of glycoconjugates. Part of this effort is devoted to the development of chemical biology tools for glycoscience research. Using one of these photocrosslinking sugars, we made the unexpected observation that cholera toxin can bind fucosylated glycoconjugates in addition to its canonical receptor, the ganglioside GM1. One of the goals of the parent award is to determine the molecular structure of fucosylated glycoconjugates recognized by cholera toxin and characterize their role in host cell intoxication. The long-term goal of these studies is to determine how glycan features vary among individuals and their association with disease states. Ms. Sanchez will extend these studies by investigating the mechanism by which ABO blood group type affects host cell intoxication by cholera toxin. Her studies will take advantage of key reagents and techniques in place in the Kohler lab and will explicitly interrogate the roles of glycoprotein and glycolipid receptors for cholera toxin. She will also examine the closely-related E. coli heat-labile, which exhibits distinct glycan binding specificities that have not been defined in a cellular setting. Throughout the funding period, Ms. Sanchez will engage in educational and training activities designed to prepare her for a in biomedical research. Ms. Sanchez's training program is personalized to her interests, strengths, weaknesses, and long-term career goals. Areas of focus include critical evaluation of the scientific literature, navigating the peer review process, honing presentation style, developing time management skills, investigating career opportunities in bio-entrepreneurship, and outreach to groups underrepresented in biomedical science.