Dylan Sarver

Mixed Media

This graphic represents the central metabolic and endocrine focus of our lab. We study proteins called CTRPs (C1q-like TNF-related proteins), which in trimeric form comprise the W. We study metabolism and how various tissues in the body communicate over great distances to relay important signals to one another. The O is made up of an abbreviated Kreb's (TCA) cycle, a very important metabolic cycle. The N is a group of various types of cells (skeletal muscle, nervous, epithelial, etc.) that send signals to communicate their state and needs to fellow tissues. The G represents an incompletely processed insulin molecule, which is a very metabolically important endocrine peptide. The L is made by a single fatty acid, which together with two more fatty acids and a glycerol backbone make up the energy-dense molecule called a triglyceride. The letter A is made of a blood vessel and is surrounded by an endocrine gland secreting small peptides/signals into the blood stream to relay important information to neighboring tissues. Finally the B is comprised of two vesicles, one containing the insulin receptor and the other containing an important glucose transporter, GLUT1. These proteins travel to the cell surface (plasma membrane) to interact with the extracellular environment. the insulin receptor interacts with insulin to transmit signals from cell exterior to interior, and GLUT1 transports glucose into the cell so it can produce chemical energy and metabolic substrates important for the cell's survival and daily functions.