Dr. David J. Gross
Associate Head, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
dgross@biochem.umass.edu

Signal transduction via cell surface receptors

Visit the Gross Lab Web Page
Background and Training

Ph.D.: University of Illinois
Postdoctoral training: Cornell
Honors: Faculty Research Award, American Cancer Society

Research Summary

Research in the Gross lab focuses on receptor-mediated second-messenger signaling in individual cells. Our main interest is in the integration and regulation of signals in the intact cell. The receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its signaling properties are the lab's main interest at present. Two projects are the main focus of the lab: interaction of the EGF receptor with the cytoskeleon and the role of the EGF receptor in oocyte development.

The EGF receptor interacts with the actin cytoskeleton. We are examining the molecular interactions that mediate this interaction as well as its regulatory effects on the microphysiology of the receptor.

Signal transduction via the activated EGF receptor in mammalian oocytes appears to play an important role in oocyte maturation. We study Ca 2+ fluxes stimulated by EGF receptor activation.

The lab employs quantitativefluorescence imaging, patch-clamp electrophysiology, biochemical techniques and molecular biology in our work. We also have a strong collaborative tie to the BioCurrents Resarch Center at the Marine Biological Lab at Woods Hole where ion efflux measurements are made.
Representative Publications

1. M.R. Holbrook, L.L. Slakey and D.J. Gross (2000), "Thermodynamic Mixing of Molecular States of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Modulates Macroscopic Ligand Binding Affinity", Biochem. J. 352, 99-108.

2. M.R. Holbrook, J.B. O'Donnell, Jr., L.L. Slakey and D.J. Gross (1999), "Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Internalization Rate is Regulated by Negative Charges Near the SH2 Binding Site Tyr992", Biochemistry 38, 9348-9356.

3. J.L. Hill, K. Hammar, P.J.S. Smith and D.J. Gross (1999), "Stage-Dependent Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor on Ca2+ Efflux in Mouse Oocytes", Molec. Reprod. Devel. 53, 244-253.

4. M.G. Mahoney, L.L. Slakey, C.D. Benham and D.J. Gross (1998) "Time course of the initial [Ca2+]i response to extracellular ATP in smooth muscle depends on [Ca2+]e and ATP concentration", Biophys. J. 75, 2050-2058.

5. J.C. Chung, N. Sciaky and D.J. Gross (1997) "Heterogeneity of Epidermal Growth Factor Binding Kinetics on Individual Cells", Biophys. J. 73, 1089-1102.

6. J.C. Chung, D.J. Gross , L.R. Opsahl-Ong, J.L. Thomas and D.A. Tirrell (1996) "pH-Sensitive, Cation-Selective Channels Formed by a Simple Synthetic Polyelectrolyte in Artificial Bilayer Membranes", Macromolecules 29, 4636-4641.

7. M.G. Mahoney, L.L. Slakey, P.K. Hepler and D.J. Gross (1993) "Independent Modes of Propagation of Calcium Waves in Smooth Muscle Cells", J. Cell Sci. 104, 1101-1107.

8. M.G. Mahoney, C.J. Randall, J.J. Linderman, D.J. Gross and L.L. Slakey (1992) "Independent Pathways Regulate the Cytosolic [Ca2+] Initial Transient and Subsequent Oscillations in Individual Cultured Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells Responding to Extracellular ATP", Molec. Biol. Cell.3, 493-505.

9. D.D. Miller, D.A. Callaham, D.J. Gross and P.K. Hepler (1992) "Free Ca2+ Gradient in Growing Pollen Tubes of Lilium ", J. Cell Sci. 101, 7-12.

10. D. Gross (1990) "Quantitative Single-Cell Fluorescence Imaging of Indicator Dyes", in Modern Cell Biology, vol. 9, pp. 21-51, S. Grinstein and J.K. Foskett, eds., John Wiley & Sons, New York.