CAMRC Home PageOf particular interest is the changing structure of the chondroitin sulfate chains of articular cartilage aggrecan with age. The hyaluronan lyase of Group B streptococci, which has limited specificity for chondroitin sulfate, is being employed in this work. The 148 kDa cartilage matrix protein (CMP) becomes increasingly crosslinked and insoluble with age. We are examining both the causes and effects of these age-related changes. A multimeric form of CMP, which may be a precursor of insoluble CMP, has been found in cartilage. THP-1 cells, a human monocytic cell line, upon differentiation into macrophages, synthesize and secrete a chondroitin sulfate E proteoglycan. We have characterized this proteoglycan as a serglycin and are exploring the question of its function(s).
1993-Present. Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
1991-Present. Director, Protein Sequencing and Analysis Core of the Research Center for Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
1980-1993. Professor of Dentistry and Biochemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
1972-1980. Associate Professor of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
1968-1970. Sabbatical Leave, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago.
1963-1972. Lecturer in Biochemistry, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Ireland.