Assistant Researcher CONICET / Assistant Professor UNC
Director: Dr. José Luis Daniotti
Phone: +54 351 5353855 ext 3449
E-mail: alevilcaes@fcq.unc.edu. is
Research Topic
Activity and function of enzymes related to glycolipid metabolism at the cell surface level
Gangliosides, a particular class of glycolipids, contain sialic acid residues and are expressed in nearly all vertebrate cells. They are synthesized at the Golgi complex by a combination of glycosyltransferases enzymes and then travel to the plasma membrane (PM) through vesicular transport, where they participate in a variety of physiological as well as pathological processes. Recently, a number of enzymes of ganglioside metabolism have been shown to be associated with the PM. In particular, it was observed that CMP-NeuAc:GM3 ectosialyltransferase (ecto-ST8Sia-I) synthetize GD3 at the PM (cis-catalytic activity). Then, we demonstrated in epithelial and melanoma cells that ecto-ST8Sia-I displayed enzymatic activity towards GM3 substrate exposed in PM of neighboring cells (trans-catalytic activity) which did not express endogenous ST8Sia-I. The biological effects of gangliosides depend on their site of production and on the subsequent subcellular distribution. In this context, both the cis- and trans-activity of ecto-Sial-T2 emerge as potential levels of regulation of ganglioside composition which, unlike the biosynthetic machinery associated with the Golgi complex, might spatially and rapidly modulate the plasma membrane physicochemical properties and, consequently, different cell signaling processes.
Selected publications
- Dysregulated Expression of Glycolipids in Tumor Cells: From Negative Modulator of Anti-tumor Immunity to Promising Targets for Developing Therapeutic Agents. Daniotti JL, Lardone RD, Vilcaes AA. 2016 – Frontiers in Oncology. Review. DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00300.
- Glycosylation of glycolipids in cancer: basis for development of novel therapeutic approaches. Daniotti JL, Vilcaes AA, Torres Demichelis V, Ruggiero FM, Rodriguez-Walker M. Frontiers in Oncology (2013) doi: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00113.
- 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 (2011) doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.257196.
- Inhibition of Ca(2+)-dependent glutamate release from cerebral cortex synaptosomes of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Vilcaes AA, Furlan G, Roth GA. Journal of Neurochemistry (2009) DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05809.x
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Current Grants
- 2016-2018: R & D project. PICT-2015-3575. Expression and activity of enzymes associated with glycolipid metabolism at the plasma membrane level.
Brief CV
Academic Formation
- 2004-2009: PhD. in Chemical Sciences. Pathological Neurobiology . Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina. Director: professor Dr. German Alfredo Roth
- 1998-2002: Degree in Biological Chemistry similar to Master in Science. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
Research Background
- 2014-present: National University of Córdoba. College of Chemical Sciences. Córdoba, Argentina. Research Assistant. Cellular and Molecular Biology. Department of Biological Chemistry-(CIQUBIC-CONICET). Director: Prof. Dr. José Luis Daniotti.
- 2010-2012: National University of Córdoba. College of Chemical Sciences. Córdoba, Argentina. Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Cellular and Molecular Biology. Department of Biological Chemistry-(CIQUBIC-CONICET). Director: Prof. Dr. José Luis Daniotti.
Teaching Background
- 2005-Present: Assistant Professor with an academic position. Department of Biological Chemistry, College of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba. Córdoba, Argentina. Institutional Management Background “2015-this: Delegate of the cloister of assistant professors in the Advisory Council Doctoral and Masters (CADyM).
- 2011-2012: Member of the Honorable Directive Council of School of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba. Córdoba, Argentina.
Background on Science outreach and extension
- 2013-2016: Science Week. Participation in the National Science and Technology Week, organized by MINCYT, Presidency of the Argentine Nation. Fcq – CONICET.
- 2010: Active participation as researcher in the program“SCIENTISTS ARE GOING TO SCHOOL”. Science event at primary schools organized by the Ministry of education and Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation from Argentina.