Anna Zolkiewska

Associate Professor of Biochemistry

Cell adhesion molecules and their role in cell growth and differentiation

M.S. 1984, University of Warsaw, Poland

Ph.D. 1988, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Poland

Phone: 785-532-3082

Fax: 785-532-7278

Email: zolkiea@ksu.edu

Office: 177 Chalmers Hall

Our primary research interest is focused on the structure and function of ADAM proteins. ADAMs constitute a novel family of cell surface receptors that mediate cell-cell adhesion, cell surface proteolysis, and transmembrane signaling.  Specifically, we have been studying the role of ADAM12 in the biology of skeletal muscle cells.  The pattern of ADAM12 expression after muscle injury and the phenotype of ADAM12-overexpressing muscle suggest that ADAM12 is involved in muscle regeneration. The molecular mechanism of ADAM12 action is, however, unknown.   

To get insight into ADAM12 function, we searched for proteins that interact with ADAM12.  We identified protein tyrosine kinase Src, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (a lipid kinase), and a-actinin-1 as cytoplasmic binding partners for ADAM12.  Our recent results suggest that ADAM12 plays a role in the induction of G0 phase (quiescence) during myoblast differentiation in vitro.  We are currently investigating the molecular mechanism by which ADAM12 may control the exit of myoblasts into quiescence. 

Quiescent, undifferentiated cells formed during myogenic differentiation in vitro share several characteristics with muscle satellite cells in vivo.  Satellite cells play a pivotal role during muscle regeneration, muscle hypertrophy, and post-natal muscle growth.  Therefore, the results of our studies may help understand key aspects of the biology of satellite cells, muscle growth and repair.

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Selected Publications

Dyczynska, E., Sun, D., Yi, H., Sehara-Fujisawa, A., Blobel, C. P., and Zolkiewska, A. (2007) Proteolytic processing of Delta-like 1 by ADAM proteases. J. Biol. Chem. 282, 436-444

Yi, H., Gruszczynska-Biegala, J., Wood, D., Zhao, Z., and Zolkiewska, A. (2005) Cooperation of the metalloprotease, disintegrin and cysteine-rich domains of ADAM12 during inhibition of myogenic differentiation. J. Biol. Chem. 280, 23475-23483

Zhao, Z., Gruszczynska-Biegala, J., and Zolkiewska, A. (2005) ADP-ribosylation of integrin a7 modulates the binding of integrin a7b1 to laminin. Biochem. J. 385, 309-317

Zolkiewska, A. (2005) Ecto-ADP-ribose transferases: Cell-surface response to local tissue injury. Physiology 20, 374-381 (Review)

Zhao, Z., Gruszczynska-Biegala, J., Cheuvront, T., Yi, H., Von Der Mark, H., Von Der Mark, K., Kaufman, S. J., and Zolkiewska, A. (2004) Interaction of the disintegrin and cysteine-rich domains of ADAM12 with integrin a7b1.  Exp. Cell Res. 298, 28-37

Cao, Y., Zhao, Z., Gruszczynska-Biegala, J., and Zolkiewska, A. (2003) Role of metalloprotease disintegrin ADAM12 in determination of quiescent reserve cells during myogenic differentiation in vitro.  Mol. Cell. Biol. 23, 6725-6738

Complete Publication List