Biochemistry

Grace Y. Sun

Professor of Biochemistry

E-mail:sung@missouri.edu

Office: 135C Schweitzer Hall

Mail: Biochemistry
117 Schweitzer Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211

Phone: 573-882-5377

Fax: 573-882-5635

Educational background

Notable honors and service

• Editorial Boards
  • Neurochemistry Research
  • Neurochemistry International (1995-98)
• Organizing Committees
  • International Symposium on Neural Membrane, 1982
  • International Symposium on Biomedical Research on Alcoholism, 1988
  • International Symposium on Neurotransmission and Signal Transduction, 1989
  • Oxidative Mechanisms for Neurodegenerative Disorders, 2004
• Awards
  • Seattle Pacific University distinguished alumni Medallion Award, 2001
  • William H. Byler Distinguished Professor Award, University of Missouri, 2003
  • Altrusa Award in Health, Columbia, Missouri Chapter, 2004

Research summary

An important goal for this laboratory is to investigate malfunctioning of central nervous system signaling pathways associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Research description

The central nervous system (CNS) is comprised of complex cellular networks consisting of neurons and glial cells. Intricate biochemical pathways are known to mediate communications among these cells. Neurons and glial cells are active in their response to numerous extracellular signals, including neurotransmitters and growth factors, which are transmitted through activation of cell specific receptors and signaling pathways. Abnormal functioning of these signaling pathways can impart on a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, alcoholism and stroke. An important goal for this laboratory is to investigate the signaling pathways mediated by different types of receptors, especially the metabotropic G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and the ionotropic receptors, associated with generation of second messengers and mobilization of intracellular calcium. Current studies in this laboratory are focused on relating these pathways to activation of phospholipases A2 (PLA2), a group of enzymes important in mediating the release of arachidonic acid and biosynthesis of prostaglandins. Increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress have been regarded important pathological landmarks of many neurodegenerative diseases. One of our goals is to understand how oxidative mechanisms lead to activation of PLA2 and cyclooxygenase (COX) in neuron and glial cells and the significance of these pathways on Alzheimer's disease pathology and stroke. Cell and animal models will be used to investigate possible anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of a variety of botanical compounds. Research in this laboratory also uses animal models to examine whether nutritional supplement of these compounds may elicit neuroprotective effects. Our studies will employ basic biochemical as well as modern molecular techniques to examine gene and protein expressions. We believe that our effort to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying signal transduction pathways will contribute to new therapeutic strategies for combating neuronal damage due to stroke, alcoholism and Alzheimer's disease.

Selected publications

Wang Q, Tompkins KD, Simonyi A, Korthuis RJ, Sun AY, and Sun GY. (2006) Apocynin protects against global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress and injury in the gerbil brain. Brain Res. 1090:182-189.

D. Zhu, Y. Lai, P. B. Shelat, C. Hu, G. Y. Sun, and J. C-M. Lee (2006) Phospholipases A2 Mediate Amyloid-Peptide-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Journal of Neuroscience, 26:11111-11119.

Moses GSD, Jensen MD, Lue L-F, Walker DG, Sun AY, Simonyi A, Sun GY Secretory PLA2- IIA: A new inflammatory factor for Alzheimer’s disease. J. Neuroinflammation 2006; 3: 28-39.

Sun G, Horrocks, LA, Farooqui AA. The roles of NADPH oxidase and phospholipases A2 in oxidative and inflammatory responses in neurodegenerative diseases. J. Neurochem. 2007, 103: 1-16.

Wang Q, Sun AY, Simonyi A, Kalogeris TJ, Miller DK, Sun GY, Korthuis RJ. Ethanol preconditioning protects against ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain damage: Role of NADPH oxidase-derived ROS. Free Radical Biol. & Med. 2007, 43: 1048-1060.

Wang Q, Smith RE, Luchtefeld R, Sun AY, Simonyi A, Luo R, Sun GY, Bioavailability of apocynin through its conversion to glycoconjugate but not to diapocynin. Phytomedicine, 2008; 15: 496-503

Shelat PB, Chalimoniuk M, Wang JH, Strosznajder JB, Lee JC, Sun AY, Simonyi A, Sun GY. Amyloid beta peptide and NMDA induce ROS from NADPH oxidase and AA release from cytosolic phospholipase A(2) in cortical neurons. J. Neurochem. 2008, 106: 45-55.

Sun A.Y., Wang Q., Simonyi A., Sun G.Y. (2008) Botanical phenolics and brain health. Neuromolecular Med. 10: 259-74

Wang Q., Sun A.Y., Simonyi A., Miller D.K., Smith R.E., Luchtefeld R.G., Korthuis R.J., Sun G.Y. (2009) Oral administration of grape polyphenol extract ameliorates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal damage and behavioral deficits in gerbils: comparison of pre- and post-ischemic administration. J. Nutr. Biochem. 20(5): 369-77

Wang Q., Sun A.Y., Pardeike J., Müller R.H., Simonyi A., Sun G.Y. (2009) Neuroprotective effects of a nanocrystal formulation of sPLA(2) inhibitor PX-18 in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in gerbis. Brain Res. 1285: 188-95

Employment opportunities

Postdoctoral opportunities

Research areas: Neurodegenerative diseases, signal transduction, phospholipases A2, oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant botanical compounds.

How to apply:

Electronic submission is encouraged, e-mail to sung@missouri.edu

Applicants should send CV and names of two references to:
Dr. Grace Y. Sun
Biochemistry
117 Schweitzer Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211