Cellular Signaling Networks

John York
Natalie Overall Warren Chair of Biochemistry
Professor of Biochemistry
Chairman of Biochemistry
607 Light Hall
Nashville, TN 37232
615-322-3318 (office)
john.york@vanderbilt.edu

The York laboratory studies cellular signaling networks and we have defined an evolutionarily conserved intracellular code required for the proper adaptation of cells and development of organisms. We define this collectively as an inositol phosphate (IP) code, and our work has helped to understand fundamental basic science questions in biology related to how cells enhance signaling specificity through generation of diverse chemical messengers. Recently our studies of a structurally conserved family of Lithium-inhibited enzymes, including inositol phosphatases, has led us to define a role for sulfur assimilation pathways in the regulation of bone formation, iron transport, and protein translation. We observe that defects in compartment specific sulfur assimilation pathways lead to disease states including: chondrodysplasia (dwarfism), anasarca (whole-body edema), and iron-deficiency anemia.