Gregory Ku, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor
Diabetes Center
Research Overview: 

Our lab studies the pancreatic beta cell, the body’s primary source of insulin. Diabetes mellitus can only occur when the beta cell is either destroyed by autoimmunity (type 1) or can’t make enough insulin to meet the demands of increased insulin resistance (type 2). Therefore, we believe that the next generation of diabetes therapeutics will come from a better understanding of beta cell biology.

Using a whole genome RNA interference screen, we have identified ~20 novel regulators of insulin production in the beta cell. We have used genetic interaction maps to understand how these hits regulate insulin production. One of these hits is a new player in the unfolded protein response and another hit is a novel regulator of mitochondrial dynamics. We are also now studying the role of these and other hits in mice and tissue culture cells. We are also developing novel assays to allow high throughput RNAi and CRISPR screens for regulators of human pancreatic beta cell survival/proliferation and insulin secretion both in vivo and in vitro.

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Human Genetics
Research Summary: 
Whole genome approaches to identify novel regulators of pancreatic beta cell function

Websites

Publications: 

SARS-CoV-2 ORF3A interacts with the Clic-like chloride channel-1 (CLCC1) and triggers an unfolded protein response.

PeerJ

Gruner HN, Zhang Y, Shariati K, Yiv N, Hu Z, Wang Y, Hejtmancik JF, McManus MT, Tharp K, Ku G

A Superfolder Green Fluorescent Protein-Based Biosensor Allows Monitoring of Chloride in the Endoplasmic Reticulum.

ACS sensors

Shariati K, Zhang Y, Giubbolini S, Parra R, Liang S, Edwards A, Hejtmancik JF, Ratto GM, Arosio D, Ku G

CLCC1 c. 75C>A Mutation in Pakistani Derived Retinitis Pigmentosa Families Likely Originated With a Single Founder Mutation 2,000-5,000 Years Ago.

Frontiers in genetics

Ma Y, Wang X, Shoshany N, Jiao X, Lee A, Ku G, Baple EL, Fasham J, Nadeem R, Naeem MA, Riazuddin S, Riazuddin SA, Crosby AH, Hejtmancik JF

Adhesion-mediated mechanosignaling forces mitohormesis.

Cell metabolism

Tharp KM, Higuchi-Sanabria R, Timblin GA, Ford B, Garzon-Coral C, Schneider C, Muncie JM, Stashko C, Daniele JR, Moore AS, Frankino PA, Homentcovschi S, Manoli SS, Shao H, Richards AL, Chen KH, Hoeve JT, Ku GM, Hellerstein M, Nomura DK, Saijo K, Gestwicki J, Dunn AR, Krogan NJ, Swaney DL, Dillin A, Weaver VM