Contact: Jack Preiss, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, (517) 353-3137, preiss@msu.edu; bill Spielman, Physiology, (517) 353-4539, spielman@msu.edu; or Tom Oswald, University Relations, (517) 355-2281, oswald@msu.edu
3/24/2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. Two Michigan State University researchers were recently honored by not only having papers published in the peer-review journal, Journal of Biological Chemistry, but also earning the additional recognition of �papers of the week.�
The scientific papers were written by teams led by Jack Preiss, University Distinguished Professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, and William Spielman, professor and chairperson, Department of Physiology.
Preiss� paper focused on the evolutionary process in plants, while Spielman�s looked at the role certain hormones play in affecting diseases such as hypertension.
Papers selected as �paper of the week� go through a rigorous selection process. Editorial board members and associate editors are asked to select papers that rank in the top 1 percent of the papers they will review in a year. Out of the more than 6,000 published every year, only between 50 and 100 papers are selected for the designation.
�This honor reflects well not only on Dr. Preiss and Dr. Spielman, but also on the entire MSU research community,� said J. Ian Gray, MSU vice president for research and graduate studies. �I�m so pleased to see these two world-class researchers receive this recognition.�
Preiss� paper focused on the evolution of plants at the molecular level. Preiss and research assistant professor Miguel Ballicora found that a protein in a certain enzyme evolved, allowing it to do a different function.
�To us, this demonstrated an evolutionary strategy,� Preiss said. �The plant can take one protein and slightly change its function to fit its needs.�
The paper written by Spielman and graduate student Jennifer Bomberger is studying the regulation of hormone receptors by certain molecules and how that regulation alters the action of the hormone.
The researchers found that proteins known as RAMPs can determine whether cells either maintain or degrade the hormone�s receptor, something that can have a major impact on diseases such as hypertension and heart failure.
�This hormone acts in a protective way in diseases like high blood pressure,� Spielman said. �What may be happening here is, for some reason, the hormone�s receptor gets degraded and the hormone can�t act anymore because the receptor is gone.�