My research is focused on the structure, function, and regulation of ion transport proteins. The present focus is on sulfate transporters and the regulation of the pathway for sulfation of macromolecules. Mutations in a specific sulfate transporter known as DTDST (diastrophic dysplasia sulfate transporter) are known to cause abnormalities in bone and cartilage formation in humans. It is believed that the abnormalities are caused by undersulfation of glycosaminoglycan produced by chondrocytes and osteoblasts under conditions of low sulfate transport activity by DTDST. We are in the process of determining the mechanisms by which mammalian chondrocytic and osteoblastic cells regulate the sulfation pathway in response to transport inhibition or of low extracellular sulfate. A separate project is focused on a closely related protein (Sul2p) in yeast; this protein is tightly regulated by sulfur-containing compounds in the growth medium. An understanding of this regulation can potentially lead to the discovery of the mechanisms by which eukaryotic cells can sense sulfate and other anions.

Source:  http://physiology.uams.edu/faculty/michael-jennings/