Mitchell Robinson, Ph.D.

Professor 

Research Interests

One of the important functions of membrane lipids is to serve as second messengers, molecules that relay information from hormones and other primary signals and, in turn, activate metabolic processes within the cell. Our laboratory is investigating the structure, metabolism and biological role of these lipids.  Of particular interest is the metabolism of diacylglycerols, molecules that are now thought to play a central role in the regulation of cell growth.  We are currently exploring the pathways for the synthesis of diacylglycerols in cultured cells and their response to stimulation by hormones such as insulin and the interleukins.  Gas-liquid chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography techniques have been developed to quantify the low levels of these molecules in cultured mammalian cells.  Our recent studies have focused on a new class of biologically active lipids, alkylglycerols.  Our laboratory has been the first to identify these compounds as components of mammalian cells.  The level of alkylglycerols appear to be high in cells whose growth is inhibited, indicating that they may play a role in the regulation of cell growth.  We are examining the metabolic processes that lead to the accumulation of these lipid molecules.  Recent studies indicate that alkylglycerols are present at very low levels in cultured tumor cells, which is consistent with a role for these molecules as growth inhibitors.

References