Pharmaceutical Science
Area of Doctoral Study: Pharmaceutical Science
Undergraduate Institute: Pennsylvania State University
Research Advisors: Peter Swaan, Ph.D.
Description of Research
Apical sodium dependent bile acid transporter ( ASBT or SLC010A2) plays a vital role in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Bile acids are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver, stored in the gall bladder, and released into the intestine upon food intake to facilitate the digestion of fats. Majority of bile acids are then reabsorbed into intestinal epithelial cells through ASBT, enter the hepatic portal vein, and are transported back to the liver. Due to the vital role of ASBT in this process, upregulation and downregulation of the receptor has been implicated as a potential target for drug therapy in diseases such as Hypercholesterolemia, cholestasis, Diabetes mellitus, and Crohn’s disease. To date, there is meager knowledge of ASBT regulation. Palmitoylation of proteins have been implicated in roles such as regulation, stability, membrane trafficking, degradation, and function. My research focuses on the role post-translational modifications, specifically palmitoylation, play in the structure, stability, function, and expression of ASBT.