Gregory Antonios

Dr. Gregory Antonios


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

9Years (2018-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 June 2018 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
BWBrigitte Wex
Brigitte Wex
Rémi SafiRémi Safi
Rémi Safi
GAGregory Antonios
Gregory Antonios
PZPerla Z. Zgheib
Perla Z. Zgheib
DADania Awad
Dania Awad
SYSoha Yazbek
Soha Yazbek
SLC35B4, solute receptor for UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and UDP-xylose, is associated with diabetes and predisposing conditions. This study investigated the localization of SLC35B4 and compared the differential expression between a knockdown of SLC35B4 and controls in HepG2. Responsiveness to glucose, expression, and localization were assayed using Western blot and immunostaining. Localization was confirmed using a proximity ligation assay. Two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF were used to identify differentially expressed proteins and pathway analysis was performed. SLC35B4 was increased by 60% upon glucose stimulation and localized in Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum. Presence of SLC35B4 in the Golgi apparatus suggests its involvement in the biosynthesis of glycoconjugate proteins. Four proteins were markedly under-expressed (Hsp60, HspA8, TUBA1A, and ENO1) and linked to the pathogenesis of diabetes or post-translationally modified by O-GlcNAc. Glucose levels activate SLC35B4 expression. This triggers a downstream effect via Hsp60 and other proteins. We hypothesize that the downstream effect on the proteins is mediated via altering the glycosylation pattern inside liver cells. The downstream cascade ultimately alters the ability of cultured liver cells to inhibit endogenous glucose production, and this could play a role in the association of the above-listed genes with the pathogenesis of diabetes.