Section: Figures

Postdoctoral Position Available

Michael Czech, Ph.D.

Academic Role: Professor

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Program in Molecular Medicine

Joint Faculty In:
   Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology

Other Affiliation(s):
   Center for AIDS Research
   Interdisciplinary Graduate Program

Figure Legend

Hypothesis: The protein kinase Map4k4 promotes insulin resistance by mediating cytokine production in macrophages and insulin resistance in adipocytes and skeletal muscle. 

We discovered the protein kinase Map4k4/NIK as a negative regulator of insulin signaling and adipogenesis by employing an RNAi screen in mouse adipocytes (PNAS  103; 2087-2092, 2006). Map4k4 appears to be a mediator of some effects of the TNF-a signaling pathway, and is a negative regulator of PPARg expression in adipocytes. Subsequently, a paper appeared indicating the Map4k4 is also a negative regulator of insulin signaling in skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetics (J. Biol. Chem. 282; 7783-7789, 2007). We have more recently discovered that Map4k4 mediates cytokine expression and secretion in macrophages. Thus this protein kinase represents an exciting potential therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases and diseases where macrophages play a pathogenic role, e.g., diabetes, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Office: Suite 100
Phone: 508-856-2254
Fax: 508-856-1617
E-mail: Michael.Czech@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Signal Transduction, Cell Biology, Biochemistry

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Postdoctoral Position Available A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Czech for additional details.