Research Areas
The Fert-Bober Laboratory studies the role of the protein arginine deiminases (PADs), a unique family of enzymes that catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptidyl‐arginine to form peptidyl‐citrulline on histones, fibrinogen and other biologically relevant proteins. The PADs have gained significant attention over the past decade due to their role in eukaryotic gene regulation and involvement in human disease, particularly inflammatory diseases and cancer.
We seek to understand where, when and how PAD family members modulate the mechanisms of cardiac fibrosis and inflammation. We study these pathways in vivo and in cell culture using a number of genetic and proteomic tools. In addition to cardiovascular diseases in general and in the rheumatoid arthritis population, we are starting to study the role of citrullinated proteins in chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. In this effort, we help build and employ mass spectrometry-based tools to improve detection and quantification of PAD isoforms and citrullinated proteins in biological material.
- Determining essential cross-talk between cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts and inflammatory cells through citrullinoproteome modulation.
- Challenging the dogma and discovering new markers for pathogenesis of ischemic and nonischemic heart diseases in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- Determining mechanisms underlying the atherosclerosis plaque development.
Contact the Fert-Bober Lab
Advanced Health Sciences Pavilion, Suite 3100
8700 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048