The research area of this laboratory is concerned with proteases and their inhibitors in human
biology and in various disease processes (thrombosis and cancer). We investigate this area using three
different approaches. In the first approach, we perform structure to activity studies with Serpins
(serine protease inhibitors) and serine proteases. This research is aimed at understanding the molecular
mechanism of protein-protein recognition between proteases and inhibitors (and glycosaminoglycans).
In the second approach, we are studying the role(s) of proteases in pathological processes by describing
the in vivo localization and molecular regulation of proteases and inhibitors in tissues (and tumor cell
lines), especially breast and gynecological cancers. Limited proteolysis is important for normal and
abnormal processes, and we are dissecting
My research philosophy is to provide a supportive environment for students (undergraduate, medical
and graduate) to perform biomedical research, to allow postdoctoral fellows the opportunity to direct
the entire scientific process, and to strive for a caring laboratory family. It is my belief that
research should be considered an "apprenticeship", and providing this training is of paramount
importance to my career goals. My research is in protein structure-activity relationships, in the
molecular basis of disease, and in trying to bridge these two endeavors for development of clinical
therapeutics. My overall goal is to be an effective mentor and to provide scholarship and education to
everyone in this laboratory.
Recent Publications:
Réhault, S.M., Zechmeister-Machhart, M., Fortenberry,Y.M., Malleier, J., Binz, N.M., Cooper, S.T., Geiger, M., and Church, F.C. (2005) Characterization of recombinant human protein C inhibitor expressed in
Escherichia coli. Biochimica Biophysica Acta 1748(1): 57-65. Abstract
Whitley, B.R., and Church, F. C. (2005) Wound-induced migration of MDA-MB-435 and
SKOV-3 cancer cells is regulated by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.
Int J Oncol 27(3): 749-57. Abstract
Glasscock, L.N., Rehault, S.M., Gregory, C.W, Cooper, S.T., Jackson, T.P., Hoffman, M., and
Church, F.C. (2005) Protein C inhibitor (plasminogen activator inhibitor-3)
expression in the CWR22 prostate cancer xenograft. Exp Molec Pathol 79(1): 23-32. Abstract
Pike, R.N., Buckle, A.M., le Bonniec, B.F., and Church, F.C. (2005) Control of the coagulation system
by serpins: getting by with a little help from glycosaminoglycans. FEBS J 272(19): 4842-51. Abstract
Fortenberry, Y.M., Whinna, H.C., Gentry, H.R., Myles,T., Leung, L.L.K., and Church, F.C. (2004)
Molecular mapping of the thrombin-heparin cofactor II complex. J Biol Chem 279(41): 43237-44. Abstract
