Research Interests:

Antigen-Antibody Interactions; Apoptosis

My laboratory contributed to the seminal study showing that cytochrome c (Cyt c) translocates from mitochondria to the cytoplasm during apoptosis and plays a key role in the activation of programmed cell death (Cell 86:147-157, 1996). Later we and others found that Cyt c is released from apoptotic cells as an intact protein (Cell Death Differ. 9:538-548, 2002). Cyt c is now being employed clinically as a biomarker for aberrant apoptosis as occurs, for example, in patients who may develop encephalopathy following influenza virus infection.

While developing an immunoassay to detect Cyt c in serum we discovered that leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein-1 (LRG) binds Cyt c and inhibits its detection in an antibody-based assay (Apoptosis 11:1121-1129, 2006). LRG has been implicated as a serum biomarker for cancer and microbial infections and a urinary biomarker for juvenile appendicitis. However, its function is unknown. We have shown that LRG binds Cyt c in a manner similar to that of the protein Apaf-1 that initiates the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. In vitro serum LRG acts as a survival protein extending the half -life of lymphocytes, rather than acting as a pro-apoptotic protein (Apoptosis, published online 2009). We are investigating the mechanism behind the survival function of serum LRG, as well as the possibility that in cells that express this protein, LRG may protect against apoptosis by competing with Apaf-1 for binding Cyt c in the cytoplasm. We have also developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for LRG that may be useful clinically (J. Immunol. Methods 336:22-29, 2008).

In related studies, we have collaborated with Dr. Janet Dubinsky, Department of Neuroscience to understand the mechanisms of Cyt c release from mitochondria using the rat brain as a model (Antioxid. Redox Signal. 7:1158-1172, 2005). There are at least two different mechanisms that appear to be involved. In response to certain types of stress Cyt c is released without damage to the mitochondrial outer membrane and in response to high calcium levels, as occurs during stroke, the mitochondrial matrix swells causing lysis of the outer membrane. Therefore, we propose that both mechanisms should be targeted to lessen the consequences of stroke and neurological disorders.

Selected Recent Publications:

• Codina, R., Vanasse, A. Kelekar, A., Vezys, V., and Jemmerson, R. 2009. Cytochrome c-induced lymphotyte death from the outside in: Inhibition by serum leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein-1. Apoptosis EPub ahead of print.
• Weivoda, S., Andersen, J. D., Skogen, A., Schlievert, P. M., Fontana, D., Schacker, T., Tuite, P., Dubinsky, J. M., and Jemmerson, R. 2008. ELISA for human serum leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein-1 employing cytochrome c as the capture ligand. J. Immunol. Methods. 336:22-29.
  
• Cummings, C., Walder, J., Treeful, A., and Jemmerson, R. 2006. Serum leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein-1 binds cytochrome c and inhibits antibody detection of this apoptotic marker in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis 11:1121-1129.
  
• Jemmerson, R., Dubinsky, J. M., and Brustovetsky, N. 2005. Cytochrome c release from CNS mitochondria and potential for clinical intervention in apoptosis-mediated CNS diseases. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 7:1158-1172.
  
• Brustovetsky, T., Antonsson, B., Jemmerson, R., Dubinsky, J. M., and Brustovetsky, N. 2005. Activation of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) in brain mitochondria and release of apoptogenic factors by BAX and truncated BID. J. Neurochem. 94:980-994.
• Brustovetsky, N., Dubinsky, J. M., Antonsson, B., and Jemmerson, R. 2003. Two pathways for tBID-induced cytochrome c release from rat brain mitochondria: BAK- versus BAX-dependence. J. Neurochem. 84:196-207.
  
• Jemmerson, R., LaPlante, B., and Treeful, A. 2002. Release of intact, monomeric cytochrome c from apoptotic and necrotic cells. Cell Death and Differentiation 9:538-548.
  
• Jemmerson, R. 2002.The molecular basis for affinity maturation in the antibody response to a protein antigen, cytochrome c. Recent. Res. Devel. Immunology 4:13-25.
  
• Brustovetsky, N., Brustovetsky, T., Jemmerson, R. and Dubinsky, J. M. 2002. Calcium-induced cytochrome c release from CNS mitochondria is associated with the permeability transition and rupture of the outer membrane. J. Neurochem. 80:207-218.
  

Last modified on: November 24, 2009