James J. Cheetham

Biography

James J. Cheetham Associate Professor Degrees: B.Sc. (McMaster University), Ph.D. (McMaster University)

Research Interest

Membrane Biochemistry  Protein-lipid interactions lie at the heart of many biological processes including signal transduction, exocytosis and neurotransmitter release. In particular protein-lipid interactions are important in the regulation of the synaptic vesicle cycle. Neurons communicate through the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles by exocytosis. Defects in this process may result in neuronal disorders such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, and depression. To avoid failures in neurotransmitter release, rapid replenishment of synaptic vesicles must occur. The synapsins comprise a family of synaptic vesicle-associated proteins that are important for sustaining neurotransmitter release at high frequencies of stimulation. Synapsin I binds to both synaptic vesicles and the cytoskeleton and clusters vesicles at presynaptic nerve terminals where it regulates the availability of vesicles for exocytosis and neurotransmitter release.