Wolfgang Peti
Assistant Professor of Medical Science:
Bio Med Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology & Biotechnology
Phone: +1 401 863 6084
Phone 2: +1 401 863 6109
Wolfgang_Peti@brown.edu
The focus of my research group is to understand the molecular basis of PP1 regulation. We combine the information derived from biomolecular NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and additional biophysical techniques, such as ITC, DSC, Biacore, and CD spectroscopy to undertsand how PP1 is targeted, regulated and inhibited in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, my research group is pursuing the production and the structure elucidation of membrane proteins and protein essential for the formation of bacterial biofilms.
Biography
1992 – 1998 Diploma Magister rer. nat, Chemistry, summa cum laude, University of Vienna, Austria (Advisor Dr.Dr. B.K. Keppler)
1998 – 2001 Ph.D., Chemistry, summa cum laude, J.-W.-G. University Frankfurt, Germany (Advisor Dr. C. Griesinger)
2001 – 8/2004 Research Associate, The Scripps Research Institute, USA (Advisor Dr. K. Wüthrich)
9/2004 – present Assistant Professor, MPPB, Brown University, USA
7/2006 – present MPP Graduate Program Co-Director, Brown University, USA
7/2007 – present Manning Assistant Professor, MPPB, Brown University, USA
7/2008 – present Assistant Professor for Chemistry, Brown University, USA
Interests
Signaling cascades direct information and, in turn, function from memory to muscle movement important at any stage of life. These cascades are mediated by a network of highly specific, tightly regulated series of protein:protein interactions, including those made by Serine/Threonine kinases and Serine/Threonine phosphatases. Our long-term goal is to achieve an in-depth understanding of this signaling network in the post synaptic density so we will be able to develop highly specific drugs for diseases such as Down's syndrome and mental retardation. Therefore we have started to investigate the role of the Serine/Threonine phosphatase Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1) in neuronal signaling, as it is one of the most important protein phosphatases in the brain. Two of the major interaction partners of PP1 in neurons are the large, multi-domain scaffolding proteins Spinophilin and Neurabin. These proteins target PP1 to its cellular point of action, the post synaptic density of dendritic spines. This targeting of PP1 by Spinophilin and Neurabin is responsible for the PP1-mediated regulation of glutamatergic AMPA/NMDA channel activity. To understand the Spinophilin/PP1 and Neurabin/PP1 signaling networks in molecular detail, we will use NMR spectroscopy to elucidate the scaffolding properties of the Spinophilin and Neurabin protein interaction domains, both as isolated domains and in complex with their interaction peptides and binding proteins. Spinophilin and Neurabin also bind and organize actin. It has been shown that this organization is of key importance for dendritic synapses shape and therefore for early childhood learning, development, and memory. Therefore, these 3-dimensional structures, interaction maps, and biochemical studies will provide a detailed understanding of this specificity and will allow us to selectively modulate particular signaling cascades for medical benefit.
Degrees
Ph.D., University of Frankfurt Germany, 2001
Awards
2007 Manning Assistant Professor of Medical Science
2005 Rhode Island Foundation Medical Research Grant
2005 Richard B. Salomon Faculty Research Award
2004 Max-Kade Foundation Fellowship Award
2002 Ernst Award 2002 of the German Chemical Society
2002–2004 Erwin-Schrödinger-Stipend (FWF/Austria)
2001 European Union Research Training Network "Cross-Correlation" Young Investigator HPRN-CT-2000-00092
1998–2001 Member of the University Sponsor group of the Bayer AG
1998–2001 Kekulé thesis scholarship from the Scholarship Fund of the Association of the Chemical Industry in Germany
1996–1998 Performance scholarship of the Ministry for Science and Culture in Austria
Affiliations
1998 – 2005 GDCh member
2004 – Present ACS member
2006 – Present ASPET member
2007 – Present Protein Society member
Teaching
BI0019 S10: Proteins (Biology Foundations Courses)
Fall 2005; Fall 2006;
Freshmen Seminar Course: Students beginning in college-level biology are encouraged to choose a section of BI 19, courses that introduce biological sciences within the framework of particular topics. All BI 19 courses carry concentration credit in biology programs. In order to assure student/faculty interaction, these sections are limited in size. BI 19 courses are often suitable for students entering with AP biology credit. Some of these courses are designated as First Year Seminars.
Proteins are the expression of information in our genes. They help metabolize the food we eat, transport the air we breath, build our bodies, and color our eyes. To do so, they adopt a myriad of structural motifs. We examine the structural features of proteins and their functional consequences, as well as methods to experimentally determine or theoretically predict protein structure.
This course has been completely reorganized with a focus on modern techniques and approaches to protein structure analysis and a discussion of the structures of recently elucidated proteins and protein complexes, such as the ribosome.
BI0294 S1: Modern Topics in Structural Biology
Spring 2006;
An introduction into the modern approaches for structural biology; special focus was given to NMR spectroscopy methodology including recently introduced hardware, software and theoretical approaches. Examples for techniques were discussed using selected structures recently solved using NMR Spectroscopy. This was a completely new course at Brown University. The class was offered in a highly interactive arrangement including demonstrations at the NMR spectrometer.
BI0195.7 Selected Topics in Molecular Biophysics (Instructor: J. X. Tang)
Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007
Contribution for biomolecular NMR spectroscopy
BI1940T Synthetic Biological Systems (Instructor: G. Wessel)
Fall 2007, Fall 2008
Contribution to Protein Engineering
BI2170 Receptors, Channels and Signaling (Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology Core Course)
Fall 2007, Fall 2008
Contribution Structure Based Drug Design
BI0110 Cell Physiology and Biophysics (Instructor: J. Kauer)
Spring 2007
Contribution to Protein Structure and biomolecular NMR spectroscopy
BI0201 A Introduction to MCB Faculty Trainer Research
Fall 2005, Fall 2006, Fall 2007, Fall 2008
BI0L1200 Protein Biophysics and Structural Biology
Spring 2008;
For the first time an upper-level under-graduate class for Protein Biophysics and Structural Biology is offered at Brown University, filling an essential educational gap. This is focusing on protein expression and purification, synthetic biology, chemical biology, introduction into biophysical techniques and an in-depth introduction into structural biology. This medium class size allows for much discussion and even student presentations.
BIOL1270 Advanced Biochemistry (Instructor: R. Page)
Fall 2008
Contribution to Protein Folding and Stability
BIOL1090 Polymer Science for Biomaterials (Instructor: E. Mathiowitz)
Fall 2008
Contribution to NMR Spectroscopy for Biopolymers
Funded Research
1 RO1 NS056128 (PI: Peti, W.) 10/01/07 – 6/30/12
NIH - NINDS
Structural and Functional Analysis of Signaling Proteins in Dendritic Spines
1R21-DA022326 (PI: Peti, W.) 04/01/08 – 03/31/10
NIH - NIDA
Structural and Functional Analysis of the Sigma-1 Receptor
STAC (RI Research Alliance) (PI: Peti, W.) 01/01/08-12/31/08
STAC
Procurement of a high-throughput micro-calorimeter (Auto-iTC200)
7 RO1 EB003872-04 (PI: Wood, T.; Sub-Project: Peti, W.) 10/1/2005-4/30/2009
NIH - NIBIB
Plant Biofilm Inhibitors to Discover Biofilm Genes
