Previous and current research

Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme with a wide distribution in the biosphere, yet its role is unknown in many instances.  In animals, the enzyme is bound on the outside of cell membranes with a phosphatidylinositolglycan (GPI) anchor.  The enzyme is a glycoprotein but the benefit of the sugar chains is unknown.  GPI-anchored enzymes are associated with lipid-rafts, a specific collection of certain types of lipid molecules and proteins that can be isolated specifically.

We intend to isolate the phosphatase from brush border membrane of the intestine from Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua), with its associated membrane molecules and analyze those in the hope of gaining a better idea regarding its role.  We also intend to produce the non-glycosylated enzyme and measure if the sugars have effect on basic properties of the enzyme. 

Mass spectrometry will be employed in the proteomics work and sequencing of glycans.  Nearest-neighbour relationships within the membrane proteins (and lipids) in the intestinal-lining of Atlantic cod are presently unknown and may have much wider relevance for membrane architecture and dynamic interactions related to transport and signalling.