DANIEL KNAUER, Ph.D. Professor Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1979 5232 McGaugh Hall Irvine, CA 92697-2300 Tel: (949) 824-5357 Fax: (949) 824-4709 djknauer@uci.edu KNAUER LAB 5415 McGaugh Hall Tel: (949) 824-4703 (Profile)

RESEARCH INTEREST: Human santithrombins and related serine protease inhibitors

The research in my laboratory focuses on the structure and function of the super-gene family of serine protease inhibitors (SERPINS). Members of this gene family regulate several biological processes including cell division and migration, neurite extension, tumor cell metastasis, and blood coagulation. The SERPINS act as specific inhibitors of cell-surface and extracellular matrix serine proteases that participate in cascade mechanisms that participate in these biological processes. A unique feature of the SERPINS is the up-regulation of their anti-protease activity by specific glycosaminoglycans found in the extracellular matrix and in soluble forms. This activation, which is in the order of 10,000-fold, is mediated by a conformational change in the SERPIN induced by the binding of the glycosaminoglycan to a specific domain within the protein. The ultimate goal of my research is to understand the mechanism of this activation at the protein level.