Head: Katarzyna Nałęcz

Degrees:

2001 Professor of Biological Sciences, nomination by the President of the Republic of Poland, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS
1993 DSc Habil, specialized in biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS
1982 PhD in Biology (Diploma cum laudae), Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS
1976 MSc in Biology (Diploma cum laudae,) specialized in biochemistry, University of Warsaw

Research trainings:

1990-1992 Long-term stay, University of Berne, Switzerland
1982-1985 Long-term stay, University of Berne, Switzerland

Professional employments:

2002 Visiting professor, 5-month stay at the Université d’Artois, France
1998-present Head of the Laboratory of Transport through Biomembranes, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS
2001- present Professor, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS
1994 Associate professor, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS
1985 Assistant professor, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS
1982 Assistant, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS

Honors and fellowships:

2003-2005 President of the Polish Neuroscience Society
1996 Polish Academy of Sciences awards for exceptional scientific achievements
1990 Polish Academy of Sciences awards for exceptional scientific achievements
1982 PhD Diploma cum laudae

Staff: Barbara Juraszek (PhD student), Dominika Jurkiewicz (PhD student), Vasylyna Kovalchuk (PhD student), Karolina Rogala (PhD student)

Reserach profile:

Studies on proteins transporting carnitine to the cell, in particular on organic cation/carnitine transporter – OCTN2 (SLC22A5) and amino acid transporter B(0,+) – ATB(0,+) (SLC6A14). The experiments have been focused on the mechanism of transporters trafficking to plasma membrane and the role of other proteins in this process. The main goal is to establish the role of transporters domains in interaction with other protein. The role of OCTN2 and ATB(0,+) in cancer cells is also investigated.

Methods:

• cell culture (primary culture of brain cells and cells transfected with vectors containing the studied genes)
• preparing vectors with mutated genes coding studied transporters
• transport measurements
• immunocytochemistry
• quantitative estimation of gene expression
• proteomics of hydrophobic proteins

Current research activities:

• studies on the mechanism of ATB(0,+) exit from endoplasmic reticulum
• studies on interaction of OCTN2 with PDZ-domain containing proteins
• studies on OCTN2 proteome and transporter interaction with PP2A phosphatase
• studies on ATB(0,+) in cancer cells

Selected publications:

Rogala-Koziarska K. Samluk Ł. Nałęcz K.A. (2019) Amino acid transporter SLC6A14 depends on heat shock protein HSP90 in trafficking to the cell surface, BBA - Mol. Cell Res., 1866, 1544-1555, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.201908.009

Kovalchuk V., Samluk Ł., Juraszek B., Jurkiewicz-Trząska D., Sucic S., Freissmuth M. Nałęcz K.A. (2019), Trafficking of the amino acid transporter B(0,+) (SLC6A14) to the plasma membrane involves an exclusive interaction with SEC24C for its exit from the endoplasmic reticulum BBA - Mol. Cell Res., 1866, 252-263, DOI:  10.1016/j.bbamcr.2018.11.005.

Jurkiewicz D., Michalec K., Skowronek K., Nałęcz K.A. (2017) Tigh junction protein ZO-1 controls organic cation/carnitine transporter OCTN2 (SLC22A5) in a protein kinase C-dependent way, BBA-Mol. Cell Res., 1864, 797-805.

Nałęcz K.A. (2016) Solute carriers in the blood-brain barrier: Safety in abundance, Neurochem Res. DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-2030-x.

Juraszek B., Nałęcz K.A. (2016) Protein phosphatase PP2A – a novel interacting partner of carnitine transporter OCTN2 (SLC22A5) in rat astrocytes, J. Neurochem. 139, 537-551.