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Agata Jurczyk PhD

TitleInstructor
InstitutionUMass Chan Medical School
DepartmentProgram in Molecular Medicine
AddressUMass Chan Medical School
368 Plantation Street AS7-2046
Worcester MA 01605
Phone508-856-1911
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    Other Positions
    InstitutionT.H. Chan School of Medicine
    DepartmentProgram in Molecular Medicine


    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    Elms College, Chicopee, MA, United StatesBALiberal Arts
    Smith College, Northampton, MA, United StatesMAMedicine
    University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United StatesPHDPhilosophy

    Collapse Overview 
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    EDUCATION 
    • Elms College, Chicopee Massachusetts - B.A. in Bio/Chem/Math Magna Cum Laude
    • Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts - M.A. in Plant Biology
    • University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts - Ph.D. in Cell Biology
    RESEARCH INTERESTS
      
        My research is focused on mechanisms of insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells. I am a cell biologist with expertise inmicroscopy and image analysis, molecular biology and cellular biology.  Recently, I have uncovered an unexpected rolefor the centrosomal protein pericentrin in maintaining normal insulin storageand secretion. This research led me to discover a link between centrosomeproteins and diabetes. I am currently trying to understand the molecular mechanism(s)behind high prevalence of diabetes among patients with centrosome and ciliadefects.

       It is known that patients with centrosomeand cilia defects have an elevated risk of developing diabetes, yet themolecular mechanisms underlying this association are not understood. Thecentrosome protein DISC1 (Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1) is a centrosome proteinthat also localizes to primary cilia and it is mutated in schizophrenicpatients who also have elevated predisposition to diabetes. The importance of DISC1in brain development and function is well recognized; however, nothing is knownabout its role in pancreatic beta cells, where it is also highly expressed.Since DISC1 is a direct interacting protein of pericentrin, and we have alreadyshown the importance of pericentrin for insulin secretion, I hypothesized thatdefects in DISC1 function or regulation in pancreatic beta cells may contributeto the development of diabetes. We anticipate that our studies will reveal thenormal function of DISC1 in pancreatic beta cells as well as provide insightsinto the high concordance of diabetes in schizophrenic patients.

       Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) is a pleiotropicciliopathy characterized by a unique phenotype including obesity, type II diabetesand neurological impairments. The specific link between BBS and the developmentof type II diabetes among BBS patients is not currently understood. My researchexamines how loss of the Bardet-Biedl Syndrome 2 gene affects the function of pancreaticislets. The role of ciliary proteins in pancreatic islets will provide newinsights into the pathogenesis of diabetes and reveal potential new therapy fortreatments.



    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
    Newest   |   Oldest   |   Most Cited   |   Most Discussed   |   Timeline   |   Field Summary   |   Plain Text
    PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Rittenhouse AR, Ortiz-Miranda S, Jurczyk A. Mutations in DISC1 alter IP3R and voltage-gated Ca2+ channel functioning, implications for major mental illness. Neuronal Signal. 2021 Dec; 5(4):NS20180122. PMID: 34956649.
      Citations:    
    2. Nyalwidhe JO, Jurczyk A, Satish B, Redick S, Qaisar N, Trombly MI, Vangala P, Racicot R, Bortell R, Harlan DM, Greiner DL, Brehm MA, Nadler JL, Wang JP. Proteomic and Transcriptional Profiles of Human Stem Cell-Derived ? Cells Following Enteroviral Challenge. Microorganisms. 2020 Feb 20; 8(2). PMID: 32093375.
      Citations:    
    3. Redick SD, Leehy L, Rittenhouse AR, Blodgett DM, Derr AG, Kucukural A, Garber MG, Shultz LD, Greiner DL, Wang JP, Harlan DM, Bortell R, Jurczyk A. Recovery of viable endocrine-specific cells and transcriptomes from human pancreatic islet-engrafted mice. FASEB J. 2020 01; 34(1):1901-1911. PMID: 31914605.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    4. Qaisar N, Jurczyk A, Wang JP. Potential role of type I interferon in the pathogenic process leading to type 1 diabetes. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2018 04; 25(2):94-100. PMID: 29369915.
      Citations: 15     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    5. Durost PA, Aryee KE, Manzoor F, Tisch RM, Mueller C, Jurczyk A, Shultz LD, Brehm MA. Gene Therapy with an Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Expressing Human Interleukin-2 Alters Immune System Homeostasis in Humanized Mice. Hum Gene Ther. 2018 03; 29(3):352-365. PMID: 28826231.
      Citations: 8     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    6. Nyalwidhe JO, Gallagher GR, Glenn LM, Morris MA, Vangala P, Jurczyk A, Bortell R, Harlan DM, Wang JP, Nadler JL. Coxsackievirus-Induced Proteomic Alterations in Primary Human Islets Provide Insights for the Etiology of Diabetes. J Endocr Soc. 2017 Oct 01; 1(10):1272-1286. PMID: 29264452.
      Citations:    
    7. Roberts FR, Hupple C, Norowski E, Walsh NC, Przewozniak N, Aryee KE, Van Dessel FM, Jurczyk A, Harlan DM, Greiner DL, Bortell R, Yang C. Possible type 1 diabetes risk prediction: Using ultrasound imaging to assess pancreas inflammation in the inducible autoimmune diabetes BBDR model. PLoS One. 2017; 12(6):e0178641. PMID: 28605395.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    8. Ortiz-Miranda S, Ji R, Jurczyk A, Aryee KE, Mo S, Fletcher T, Shaffer SA, Greiner DL, Bortell R, Gregg RG, Cheng A, Hennings LJ, Rittenhouse AR. A novel transgenic mouse model of lysosomal storage disorder. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2016 11 01; 311(5):G903-G919. PMID: 27659423.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    9. Roth Flach RJ, Danai LV, DiStefano MT, Kelly M, Menendez LG, Jurczyk A, Sharma RB, Jung DY, Kim JH, Kim JK, Bortell R, Alonso LC, Czech MP. Protein Kinase Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase Kinase 4 (MAP4K4) Promotes Obesity-induced Hyperinsulinemia. J Biol Chem. 2016 07 29; 291(31):16221-30. PMID: 27226575.
      Citations: 10     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    10. Jurczyk A, Nowosielska A, Przewozniak N, Aryee KE, DiIorio P, Blodgett D, Yang C, Campbell-Thompson M, Atkinson M, Shultz L, Rittenhouse A, Harlan D, Greiner D, Bortell R. Beyond the brain: disrupted in schizophrenia 1 regulates pancreatic ?-cell function via glycogen synthase kinase-3?. FASEB J. 2016 Feb; 30(2):983-93. PMID: 26546129.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    11. Yang C, Loehn M, Jurczyk A, Przewozniak N, Leehy L, Herrera PL, Shultz LD, Greiner DL, Harlan DM, Bortell R. Lixisenatide accelerates restoration of normoglycemia and improves human beta-cell function and survival in diabetic immunodeficient NOD-scid IL-2rg(null) RIP-DTR mice engrafted with human islets. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2015; 8:387-98. PMID: 26316789.
      Citations:    
    12. Chen CT, Hehnly H, Yu Q, Farkas D, Zheng G, Redick SD, Hung HF, Samtani R, Jurczyk A, Akbarian S, Wise C, Jackson A, Bober M, Guo Y, Lo C, Doxsey S. A unique set of centrosome proteins requires pericentrin for spindle-pole localization and spindle orientation. Curr Biol. 2014 Oct 06; 24(19):2327-2334. PMID: 25220058.
      Citations: 50     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    13. diIorio P, Rittenhouse AR, Bortell R, Jurczyk A. Role of cilia in normal pancreas function and in diseased states. Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today. 2014 Jun; 102(2):126-38. PMID: 24861006.
      Citations: 11     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    14. Jurczyk A, Bortell R, Alonso LC. Human ?-cell regeneration: progress, hurdles, and controversy. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2014 Apr; 21(2):102-8. PMID: 24569551.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    15. Jurczyk A, Diiorio P, Brostowin D, Leehy L, Yang C, Urano F, Harlan DM, Shultz LD, Greiner DL, Bortell R. Improved function and proliferation of adult human beta cells engrafted in diabetic immunodeficient NOD-scid IL2r?(null) mice treated with alogliptin. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2013; 6:493-9. PMID: 24376359.
      Citations:    
    16. Yang C, Diiorio P, Jurczyk A, O'Sullivan-Murphy B, Urano F, Bortell R. Pathological endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated by the IRE1 pathway contributes to pre-insulitic beta cell apoptosis in a virus-induced rat model of type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia. 2013 Dec; 56(12):2638-46. PMID: 24121653.
      Citations: 20     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    17. Yang C, Jurczyk A, diIorio P, Norowski E, Brehm MA, Grant CW, Guberski DL, Greiner DL, Bortell R. Salicylate prevents virus-induced type 1 diabetes in the BBDR rat. PLoS One. 2013; 8(10):e78050. PMID: 24147110.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    18. Diiorio P, Jurczyk A, Yang C, Racki WJ, Brehm MA, Atkinson MA, Powers AC, Shultz LD, Greiner DL, Bortell R. Hyperglycemia-induced proliferation of adult human beta cells engrafted into spontaneously diabetic immunodeficient NOD-Rag1null IL2r?null Ins2Akita mice. Pancreas. 2011 Oct; 40(7):1147-9. PMID: 21926555.
      Citations: 14     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    19. Jurczyk A, Roy N, Bajwa R, Gut P, Lipson K, Yang C, Covassin L, Racki WJ, Rossini AA, Phillips N, Stainier DY, Greiner DL, Brehm MA, Bortell R, diIorio P. Dynamic glucoregulation and mammalian-like responses to metabolic and developmental disruption in zebrafish. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2011 Jan 15; 170(2):334-45. PMID: 20965191.
      Citations: 46     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    20. Jurczyk A, Pino SC, O'Sullivan-Murphy B, Addorio M, Lidstone EA, Diiorio P, Lipson KL, Standley C, Fogarty K, Lifshitz L, Urano F, Mordes JP, Greiner DL, Rossini AA, Bortell R. A novel role for the centrosomal protein, pericentrin, in regulation of insulin secretory vesicle docking in mouse pancreatic beta-cells. PLoS One. 2010 Jul 27; 5(7):e11812. PMID: 20676397.
      Citations: 11     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    21. Pino SC, O'Sullivan-Murphy B, Lidstone EA, Yang C, Lipson KL, Jurczyk A, diIorio P, Brehm MA, Mordes JP, Greiner DL, Rossini AA, Bortell R. CHOP mediates endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in Gimap5-deficient T cells. PLoS One. 2009; 4(5):e5468. PMID: 19424493.
      Citations: 19     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    22. Pino SC, O'Sullivan-Murphy B, Lidstone EA, Thornley TB, Jurczyk A, Urano F, Greiner DL, Mordes JP, Rossini AA, Bortell R. Protein kinase C signaling during T cell activation induces the endoplasmic reticulum stress response. Cell Stress Chaperones. 2008 Dec; 13(4):421-34. PMID: 18418732.
      Citations: 13     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    23. Mikule K, Delaval B, Kaldis P, Jurcyzk A, Hergert P, Doxsey S. Loss of centrosome integrity induces p38-p53-p21-dependent G1-S arrest. Nat Cell Biol. 2007 Feb; 9(2):160-70. PMID: 17330329.
      Citations: 156     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    24. Jurczyk A, Gromley A, Redick S, San Agustin J, Witman G, Pazour GJ, Peters DJ, Doxsey S. Pericentrin forms a complex with intraflagellar transport proteins and polycystin-2 and is required for primary cilia assembly. J Cell Biol. 2004 Aug 30; 166(5):637-43. PMID: 15337773.
      Citations: 77     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    25. Gromley A, Jurczyk A, Sillibourne J, Halilovic E, Mogensen M, Groisman I, Blomberg M, Doxsey S. A novel human protein of the maternal centriole is required for the final stages of cytokinesis and entry into S phase. J Cell Biol. 2003 May 12; 161(3):535-45. PMID: 12732615.
      Citations: 117     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    26. Panavas T, Pikula A, Reid PD, Rubinstein B, Walker EL. Identification of senescence-associated genes from daylily petals. Plant Mol Biol. 1999 May; 40(2):237-48. PMID: 10412903.
      Citations: 34     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    27. Wright ML, Pikula A, Babski AM, Labieniec KE, Wolan RB. Effect of melatonin on the response of the thyroid to thyrotropin stimulation in vitro. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1997 Nov; 108(2):298-305. PMID: 9356225.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    28. Wright ML, Pikula A, Babski AM, Kuliga K. Distribution and reciprocal interactions of 3H-melatonin and 125I-thyroxine in peripheral, neural, and endocrine tissues of bullfrog tadpoles. Comp Biochem Physiol A Physiol. 1997 Nov; 118(3):691-8. PMID: 9406444.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    29. Wright ML, Pikula A, Cykowski LJ, Kuliga K. Effect of melatonin on the anuran thyroid gland: follicle cell proliferation, morphometry, and subsequent thyroid hormone secretion in vitro after melatonin treatment in vivo. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1996 Aug; 103(2):182-91. PMID: 8812367.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    30. Wright ML, Blanchard LS, Pikula A, Labieniec KE. Circadian rhythms of thyroid secretion, morphometry, and cell division in prometamorphic and climax Rana tadpoles. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1995 Jul; 99(1):75-84. PMID: 7657160.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Animals
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