James E Rothman, PhD
Sterling Professor of Cell Biology and Professor of Chemistry; Chair, Cell Biology; Director, Nanobiology Institute
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Research Summary
We take an interdisciplinary approach, which includes cell-free biochemistry, single molecule biophysics, and super-resolution optical imaging of single events/single molecules in the cell and in cell-free formats. The overall goal is to understand transport pathways form structural mechanism to cellular physiology. We have a strong interest in new lab members who bring backgrounds in protein biochemistry, organic chemistry, biophysics, and bio-engineering.
Specialized Terms: Elucidating the underlying mechanisms of vesicular transport within cells; Secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters
Extensive Research Description
- The biophysical mechanisms of membrane fusion.
- Regulation of vesicle fusion in synaptic transmission.
- Structural and functional organization of the Golgi apparatus.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Biochemistry; Biophysics; Chemistry; Cell Biology; Golgi Apparatus; Membrane Fusion; Synaptic Transmission; Vesicular Transport Proteins
Selected Publications
- A conformational switch in complexin is required for synaptotagmin to trigger synaptic fusionKrishnakumar SS, Radoff DT, Kümmel D, Giraudo CG, Li F, Khandan L, Baguley SW, Coleman J, Reinisch KM, Pincet F, Rothman JE. A conformational switch in complexin is required for synaptotagmin to trigger synaptic fusion Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 2011, 18: 934-940. PMID: 21785412, PMCID: PMC3668341, DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.2103.
- Complexin activates and clamps SNAREpins by a common mechanism involving an intermediate energetic stateLi F, Pincet F, Perez E, Giraudo CG, Tareste D, Rothman JE. Complexin activates and clamps SNAREpins by a common mechanism involving an intermediate energetic state Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 2011, 18: 941-946. PMID: 21785413, PMCID: PMC3736826, DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.2102.
- Complexin cross-links prefusion SNAREs into a zigzag arrayKümmel D, Krishnakumar SS, Radoff DT, Li F, Giraudo CG, Pincet F, Rothman JE, Reinisch KM. Complexin cross-links prefusion SNAREs into a zigzag array Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 2011, 18: 927-933. PMID: 21785414, PMCID: PMC3410656, DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.2101.
- Induction of cortical endoplasmic reticulum by dimerization of a coatomer-binding peptide anchored to endoplasmic reticulum membranesLavieu G, Orci L, Shi L, Geiling M, Ravazzola M, Wieland F, Cosson P, Rothman JE. Induction of cortical endoplasmic reticulum by dimerization of a coatomer-binding peptide anchored to endoplasmic reticulum membranes Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2010, 107: 6876-6881. PMID: 20351264, PMCID: PMC2872465, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1002536107.
- A fast, single-vesicle fusion assay mimics physiological SNARE requirementsKaratekin E, Di Giovanni J, Iborra C, Coleman J, O'Shaughnessy B, Seagar M, Rothman JE. A fast, single-vesicle fusion assay mimics physiological SNARE requirements Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2010, 107: 3517-3521. PMID: 20133592, PMCID: PMC2840481, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0914723107.