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George M Carman George M Carman
Professor II
 Food Science
Food Science 203E
65 Dudley Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 732-932-9611 x217
Fax: 732-932-6776
Email: carman@aesop.rutgers.edu
Website: foodsci.rutgers.edu/people/faculty/Carman/index.htm

Expertise Summary
  Dr. Carman’s research utilizes molecular genetic and biochemical approaches to study the regulation of phospholipid metabolism in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Phospholipids are essential molecules that contribute to the structural definition of cell membranes, and participate in the regulation of cellular processes as signaling molecules and as reservoirs of lipid messengers. The Carman laboratory has made significant contributions to the understanding of phospholipid synthesis in yeast through the purification and characterization of several enzymes and the isolation and characterization of key genes. The laboratory has played a major role in the discovery that the expression of phospholipid biosynthetic enzymes is regulated by phospholipid precursors and the mineral zinc; and that key enzymes are regulated by membrane- and cytosolic-associated components and by covalent modification by protein kinases. These forms of enzyme regulation have profound effects on membrane phospholipid composition and have important medical implications for understanding the molecular basis for various diseases. Two research projects are currently funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health. One project addresses the hypothesis that phosphorylation of phospholipid biosynthetic enzymes represents a mechanism by which pathways of signal transduction mediate phospholipid metabolism. Key enzymes being studied include choline kinase and CTP synthetase. Unregulated levels of these two enzymes are common properties of various cancers in humans. The other project addresses the hypothesis that yeast cells adapt to zinc deficiency by regulating membrane phospholipid synthesis through the expression of several phospholipid biosynthetic enzymes. Key enzymes being studied include phosphatidylserine synthase, phosphatidylinositol synthase, and phosphatidate phosphatase.

International Expertise
Genes & Enzymes

Research Projects
  • Regulation of Phospholipid Synthesis
  • Phospholipid Metabolism and Membrane Function
  • Regulation of Phospholipid Synthesis

    • Selected Publications
    Phosphorylation of human CTP synthetase 1 by protein kinase A. Identification of Thr455 as a major site of phosphorylation
      Journal: J. Biol. Chem
     Authors: Choi, M-G and GM Carman
    Volume: 282    Pages: 5367-5377
    Date Published: 2007
    The Saccharomyces cerevisiae lipin homolog is a Mg2+-dependent phosphatidate phosphatase enzyme
      Journal: J. Biol. Chem.
     Authors: Han, GS, W-I Wu, and GM Carman
    Volume: 281    Pages: 9210-9218
    Date Published: 2006
    Regulation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae EKI1-encoded ethanolamine kinase by zinc depletion
      Journal: J. Biol. Chem.
     Authors: Kersting, MC and GM Carman
    Volume: 281    Pages: 13110-13116
    Date Published: 2006

    Students
    Yu-Fang Chang Graduate
    Hyeon-Son Choi Graduate
    Seung-Hee Han Graduate
    Tara Havriluk Undergraduate
    Fred Lozy Undergraduate
    Jeanelle Morgan Post Doc
    Florentia Pascual Graduate
    Anibal Soto Graduate

     

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