Paul J. Bertics, Ph.D.

Professor
Department of Biomolecular Chemistry

pbertics@wisc.edu

Trainer in the Following Programs:

  • Cellular and Molecular Biology Program
  • Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology Program
  • Department of Nutritional Sciences
  • Cancer Biology Program
  • Biotechnology Training Program

Awards and Honors:

  • Shaw Scholar Award (Milwaukee Foundation)
  • March of Dimes Basic O'Connor Research Award
  • Eli Lilly Biochemistry Award
  • Dorothy and Charles Inbusch Award for Meritorious Research
  • University of Wisconsin Medical School Deans Outstanding Teacher Award

Research Description:

The research program is focused on characterizing the regulation of cell proliferation and function by growth factors and toxins (i.e., endotoxin). Accordingly, this work has direct application to the understanding of the events that are involved in the development of cancer and the mechanisms associated with the toxicity of bacterial infections. The growth factor research has centered on an examination of the structure, regulation, distribution, and mode of signal transduction of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, which is a ligand-activated protein-tyrosine kinase known to be of considerable importance in cell growth control. These studies also entail an analysis of systems that can serve to regulate EGF receptor function, including protein kinase C (PKC), G-protein, and growth hormone receptor-mediated pathways. Because abnormal control of the EGF receptor can lead to carcinogenesis, the work has also emphasized examining how EGF receptor kinase activity can be specified/modulated by direct receptor association with the cellular cytoskeleton, the extracellular matrix, and its receptors, such as the integrins.

In terms of endotoxin, our work has found that the function of purinoreceptors (ATP/ADP receptors) are essential for endotoxin to bring about its biological effects, such as septic shock and death. Therefore, we are currently assessing the role of G-proteins, PKC activation, and tyrosine phosphorylation in this process. The research on endotoxin signal transduction also includes the analysis and purification of an endotoxin-stimulated GTPase activity, as well as the structural, functional, and pharmacological characterization of the capacity of selected adenine nucleotides to protect animals from endotoxic death.

Selected Recent Publications: Articles on PubMed

  • Gavala ML, Pfeiffer ZA, and Bertics PJ. (2008). The Nucleotide Receptor P2RX7 Mediates ATP-Induced CREB Activation in Human and Murine Monocytic Cells. J Leukoc Biol.In press.

  • Lenertz LL, Gavala ML, Hill LM, and Bertics PJ. (2008). Cell signaling via the P2X7 nucleotide receptor: Linkage to ROS production, gene transcription and receptor trafficking. Purinergic Signalling. In press.

  • Lowe AM, Ozer BH, Wiepz GJ, Bertics PJ, and Abbott NL. (2008). Engineering of PDMS Surfaces for use in Microsystems for Capture and Isolation of Complex and Clinically Important Proteins such as Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor. Lab Chip. In press.

  • Lowe AM, Bertics PJ, and Abbott NL. (2008). Quantitative methods based on twisted nematic liquid crystals for mapping surfaces patterned with bio/chemical functionality relevant to bioanalytical assays. Anal Chem. 80:2637-2645.

  • Quinchia-Rios BH, Abozeid S, Guerrero M, Bainbridge B, Darveau R, Compton T, and Bertics PJ. (2008). Down-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent signaling by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide in life-expanded human gingival fibroblasts. J Periodontal Res. 43:290-304.

  • Bertics PJ, Koziol C, and Wiepz GJ. (2008). Signal Transduction. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice, 7th Edition, Elsevier, Edinburgh, UK. In press.

  • Bertics PJ, Ozer BH, Wiepz GJ, Guadarrama AG, Abbott NL, Lowe AM, Shusta EV, Agarwal N, Raines RT, and Kalia J. (2007). Liquid crystal-based analytic technology: Enabling a molecular view of cancer. Bioforum Europe.11:42-45.

  • Guerra AN, Gavala ML, Chung HS, and Bertics PJ. (2007). Nucleotide receptor signalling and the generation of reactive oxygen species. Purinergic Signalling. 3:39-51.

  • Liu LY, Bates ME, Jarjour NN, Busse WW, Bertics PJ, and Kelly EA. (2007). Generation of Th1 and Th2 chemokines by human eosinophils: evidence for a critical role of TNF-alpha. J Immunol. 179:4840-4848. PMID 17878383

  • Govindaraju T, Bertics PJ, Raines RT, and Abbott NL. (2007). Using measurements of anchoring energies of liquid crystals on surfaces to quantify proteins captured by immobilized ligands.
    J Am Chem Soc. 129:11223-31. PMID 17705384

  • Pfeiffer ZA, Guerra AN, Hill LM, Gavala ML, Prabhu U, Aga M, Hall DJ, and Bertics PJ. (2007). Nucleotide receptor signaling in murine macrophages is linked to reactive oxygen species generation. Free Radic Biol Med. 42:1506-1516. Epub. PMID 17448897

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Study Section membership:

  • NIH Study Section Reviewer: Regular Member (1994-1998): Cellular Biology and Physiology-2
  • VA Merit Review Board for Oncology- Member (1996-2000)
  • American Cancer Society: Member of the Cell Biology Study Section (1997-1999)

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