James D. Bangs, Ph.D. Professor, Medical Microbiology and Immunology Room 4159 Microbial Sciences Building 1550 Linden Drive Madison, WI 53706-1521 (608) 262-3110 Fax: (608)262-8418 jdbangs@wisc.edu

Research Interests

Molecular parasitology, basic cell biology and biochemistry of African trypanosomes, secretion and intracellular protein trafficking.

African trypanosomes are the causative agent of Sleeping Sickness in humans, which is a re-emerging disease throughout sub-Saharan Africa.  My laboratory focuses on the basic cell biology of these protozoa; and specifically on intracellular trafficking of lysosomal and cell surface proteins as key aspects of the host:parasite relationship.  The trypanosome lifecycle alternates between the mammalian bloodstream and the midgut of the tsetse fly vector; each stage has a unique protein surface coat that forms the first line of contact with the host.  These coat proteins are anchored in membranes by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors and are essential for survival in each stage.  Consequently, correct protein targeting to the cell surface is critical to the success of the parasite.  Also, endocytic and lysosomal functions are greatly up-regulated in the pathogenic bloodstream stage for both nutritional and defensive purposes.  We work on four distinct areas: 

1. GPI-dependent targeting of surface coat proteins.
2. The role of a novel cell surface metalloprotease in surface coat exchange during life cycle differentiation.
3. Stage-specific targeting of lysosomal membrane proteins.
4. Characterization of the general machinery of secretory transport. 

Our ultimate goal is to define aspects of trypanosomal secretory processes that may provide novel avenues to chemotherapeutic intervention.

Immunofluorescence of a bloodstream trypanosome stained for endogenous marker proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum (BiP, green) and the lysosome (p67, red). Left: Merged DIC light and DNA (blue) fluorescent images showing the attached flagellum (f), the central nucleus (n), and the posterior kinetoplast (k, mitochondrial DNA). Right: Merged 3 channel image.

Training

1977 - B.S., Bates College Lewiston, ME
1986 - Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
1988-92 - Postdoctoral fellowship, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA

Lab Personnel

Dr. Shaheen Sutterwala, Postdoc
Ngii Tazeh, Grad Student
Eli Sevova, Grad Student
Kevin Schwartz, Research Assistant
Amanda McCann, Research Assistant
Tom Connelly, Undergrad Assistant

Recent Publications – NCBI PubMed search for "J.D. Bangs"

Peck, RF, Shiflett,, AM, Schwartz, KJ, McCann, A, Hajduk, SL and JD Bangs (2008) The LAMP-like protein p67 plays an essential role in the lysosome of African trypanosomes. Mol. Microbiol. in press.

McCann, AK, Schwartz, KJ, and JD Bangs (2008) A determination of the steady state lysosomal pH of bloodstream stage African trypanosomes. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. in press.

Tazeh, NN and JD Bangs (2007) Multiple signals regulate trafficking of the lysosomal membrane protein p67 in African trypanosomes. Traffic 8:1007-1017.

Sutterwala, SS, Creswell, CH, Sanyal, S, Menon, AK and JD Bangs (2007) De novo sphingolipid synthesis is essential for viability, but not transport of GPI-anchored proteins, in Trypanosoma brucei. Euk. Cell 6:454-464.

Schwartz, KJ and JD Bangs (2007) Regulation of protein trafficking by GPI valence in African trypanosomes. J. Euk. Microbiol. 54:22-24.

Gruszynski, AE, van Deursen,FJ, (16 additional authors), Menon, AK, Matthews, KR and JD Bangs. (2006) Regulation of surface coat exchange by differentiating African trypanosomes. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 147:211-223.

Schwartz, K, Peck RF, Nkhanglefack, NT and JD Bangs. (2005) GPI valence regulates secretory progression in bloodstream-form African trypanosomes. J. Cell Sci. 118: 5499-5511.

Triggs, VP and JD Bangs. (2003) GPI-dependent trafficking in bloodstream stage African trypanosomes. Euk. Cell 2:76-83.

Gruszynski, A, Demaster, A, Hooper, NM and JD Bangs. (2003) Surface coat remodeling during differentiation of African trypanosomes. J. Biol. Chem. 278:24665-24672.

Alexander, D.L., Schwartz, K.J., Balber, A.E. and Bangs, J.D. (2002) Developmentally regulated trafficking of the lysosomal membrane protein p67 in Trypanosoma brucei. J. Cell. Sci. 115:3253-3263.

Lamb, J.L., Fu,V., Wirtz, E. and J.D. Bangs. (2001) Functional analysis of the trypanosomal AAA protein TbVCP with trans-dominant ATP hydrolysis mutants. J. Biol. Chem. 276: 21512-21520.

Bangs, J.D., Ransom, D.A., Nimick, M., Christie, G. and N.M. Hooper. (2001) Cytocidal effects on Trypanosoma brucei and inhibition of Leishmania major GP63 by peptidomimetic metalloprotease inhibitors. Mole. Biochem. Parasitol. 98:17-28.