DANIOTTI, Jose Luis (1966-2020)

Principal Researcher CONICET / Full Professor UNC
Phone: +54 351 5353855 ext 3447
E-mail: daniotti@fcq.unc.edu.ar

Research Topic

Biochemical and functional studies of glycolipids and acylated proteins

In our laboratory we are interested in studying the cellular processes involved in the synthesis, intracellular distribution and degradation of glycolipids. These anphipatic molecules are mostly synthesized in the Golgi complex through the coordinated action of glycosyltransferases and are mainly localized in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. In particular, we are interested in the synthesis, and endocytic and exocytic transport of glycolipids both in polarized and nonpolarized epithelial cells. We also study the binding, internalization and intracellular fate of ligands to glycolipid, mainly antibodies. To know in detail these processes might help to understand the potential effect of anti-glycolipid antibodies associated to peripheral neuropathies. In addition, as neosynthesized gangliosides observed in oncogenic processes show antigen specificity, the characterization of antibodies to gangliosides has also important conceptual and translational implications for the development of innovative therapeutics targeting and future design of immunotherapies for cancer.

In another research line we investigate the cellular mechanisms that control and regulate the process of protein acylation as well as the consequences of this covalent modification on the subcellular distribution of the acylated polypeptides. In particular, we are examining the palmitoylation-depalmitoylation cycle of model proteins such as Ras and GAP-43 and its impact on membrane association and intracellular transport. We are also analyzing the functional roles of Ras and GAP-43 proteins in compartments of the endocytic pathway, with particular emphasis on the recycling endosomes compartment.

Selected publications

• Modulation of epidermal growth factor receptor phosphorylation by endogenously expressed gangliosides. Zurita A. R., Maccioni H.J.F. and Daniotti J.L. Biochemical Journal 355:465-472 (2001).
• H-Ras dynamically interacts with recycling endosomes in CHO-K1 cells. Involvement of Rab5 and Rab11 in the trafficking of H-Ras to this pericentriolar endocytic compartment Gomez G. and Daniotti J.L. Journal of Biological Chemistry 280:34997-35010 (2005).
• Neobiosynthesis of glycosphingolipids by plasma membrane-associated glycosyltransferases. Crespo, P.M., Torres Demichelis, In. and Daniotti, J.L. Journal of Biological Chemistry 285:29179-29190 (2010).
• Acyl-protein thioesterase 2 catalizes the deacylation of peripheral membrane-associated GAP-43 Tomatis V.M., Trenchi A., Gomez G.A. and Daniotti J.L. PLOS ONE 5(11):e15045 (2010).
• Trans-activity of plasma membrane-associated ganglioside sialyltransferase in mammalian cells. Vilcaes A.A., Torres Demechiles V. and Danioti J.L.. Journal of Biological Chemistry 286:31437-31446 (2011).

(More publications-CONICET)

Researchers members of the group

• Dr. ALDO ALEJANDRO VILCAES–Assistant researcher of CONICET (From 2013).

Fellows

Postdoc

• Bioq. FERNANDO RUGGIERO

PhD students

Current Grants

• Mizutani Foundation For Glycoscience. Japan. 2016-2017.
• National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion (ANPCYT-FONCYT). Argentina, PICT-2013-0456. 2014-2017.
• Ministry of Science and Technology, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina. 2016-2018.
• National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion (ANPCYT-FONCYT). Argentina, PICT-2015-1316. 2016-2019.

Brief CV

Academic Formation

• 1987, Biochemist, School of Chemistry, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
• 1992, Ph.D., Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina. Title: “Metabolism of gangliosides during the development of the retina”. Ph.D. Advisor: Prof. Dr. Hugo J.F. Maccioni.

Research Background

• 1988-1989, Fellowship from the National University of Córdoba, Scientific Research Council.
• 1989, Fellow from Council of Scientific and Technological Research Córdoba.
• 1989-1992, Fellow from the Argentinian Research Council (CONICET).
• 1992-1994, Post-Doctoral Fellow from the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile. Chairman: Dr. Jorge E. Allende.
• 1993, Fogarty Fellow at the Lab. of Dr. Silvio Gutkind (NIDCR, NIH). 06-09/1993.
• 2000, Visiting Scientist at the Laboratory of Dr. R. Proia (NIDDK, NIH). 07-11/2000
• 1997-Present, Member of the Career Investigators of the Argentinean Research Council (CONICET).

Teaching Background

• 2009-Present. Full Professor in Cellular and Molecular Biology, College of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.

Institutional Management Background

• Secretary of Science and Technology, School of Chemistry, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. 2002-2003.
• Deputy Director of the Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. 2004-2006.
• Director of the Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. 2010-2012.
• Vice Director of the Center for Research in Biological Chemistry Córdoba (CIQUIBIC, UNC-CONICET). 2015-2020.

Background on Science outreach and extension

1. Development of a methodology for the diagnosis of cholera through the detection of cholera toxin in different biological samples together with Drs. Maccioni HJF, Omar F, Barra JL, Rodriguez P and Monferran C and with the support of the Secretariat of Science and Technology of the Province of Córdoba, Argentina. The procedure was patented and transferred for commercialization.
2. Member of the project “Biotechnology for Hemoderivatives” (Biohem, UNC-CONICET). EMPRETECNO from the Argentinean Sectorial Fund (FONARSEC) – Program of Support to Technologically Based Companies (PAEBT, Sector Biosalud). Awarded by the ANPCyT by resolution 425/2011 dated November 24, 2011. Objective: Production of recombinant Factor IX used for the treatment of patients suffering from Hemophilia B.

Directed Ph.D. Theses

1. Dr. ADOLFO ZURITA. 2002.
2. Dr. CRESPO MARIA PILAR. 2005.
3. Dr. WILLIAM A. GOMEZ. 2007.
4. Dr. Ramiro Iglesias-Bartolome. 2008.
5. Dr. ALEJANDRA TRENCHI. 2010.
6. Dr. VANINA TORRES-DEMICHELIS. 2013.
7. Dr. PILAR PEDRO. 2016.