PULSe Home > Faculty Members A-C > Ruben Aguilar

Assistant Professor Department of Biological Sciences Ph.D., University of Buenos Aires, 1996 Contact Info: claudio@purdue.edu 765-496-3547 Training Group(s): Membrane Biology Molecular Signaling and Cancer Biology

Current Research Interests:

My laboratory is focused in the study of protein trafficking and membrane transport in relation to the processes of cell polarity establishment (a feature that is key for animal development and crucial for physiological functions such as synaptic transmission and immune response) and carcinogenic transformation. In order to pursue our research goals we routinely use genetic, biochemistry and cell biology techniques with yeast and mammalian cells. We study protein-protein interactions at molecular level by using bioinformatics, biochemical and genetic tools (like the two-hybrid system) and we investigate the physiological relevance of these interactions by using functional assays, microscopy (of live and fixed cells) and genetic approaches.

Selected Publications:

R. C. Aguilar, S.A. Longhi, J.D. Shaw, L.Y. Yeh, S. Kim, A. Schön, E. Freire, A. Hsu, W. K. McCormick, H. A. Watson and B. Wendland (2006) Epsin ENTH domains perform an essential function regulating Cdc42 through binding Cdc42 GTPase Activating Proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 103(11):4116-21.

R.C. Aguilar and B. Wendland (2005). Endocytosis of membrane receptors: two pathways are better than one. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.102(8):2679-80.

R.C. Aguilar and B. Wendland (2003). Ubiquitin: not just for proteasomes anymore. CURRENT OPINION IN CELL BIOLOGY. 15:184-90.

R.C. Aguilar, H.A. Watson and B. Wendland (2003). The yeast Epsin Ent1 is recruited to membranes through multiple independent interactions. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 278:10737-43.

R. Puertollano*, R.C. Aguilar*, I.I. Gorshkova, R.J. Crouch and J.S. Bonifacino (2001).Sorting of Mannose 6-Phosphate Receptors Mediated by the GGAs. SCIENCE, 292: 1712-1716. * Equally contributing authors

R.C. Aguilar, M. Boehm, H. Ohno, I. I. Gorshkova, R.J. Crouch and J.S. Bonifacino (2001). Signal-binding specificity of the º4 subunit of the adaptor protein complex AP-4. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 276: 13145-13152.

R.C. Aguilar*, V.C. Blank, L.A. Retegui and L.P Roguin (2000). Positive cooperative effects between receptorsinduced by an anti-human growth hormone allosteric monoclonal antibody.LIFE SCIENCES, 66, 1021 *Corresponding author.

E.C. Dell'Angelica, V. Shotelersuk, R.C. Aguilar, W.A. Gahl, and J.S. Bonifacino (1999). Altered Trafficking of Lysosomal Proteins in Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome Due to Mutations in the ß3A Subunit of the AP-3 Adaptor. MOLECULAR CELL, 3: 11

R.C. Aguilar*, V.C. Blank, L.A. Retegui, L.P. Roguin (1998). Detection of negative allosteric effects between monoclonal antibodies by using an antigenic model-builder computer program. COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 28:1 *Corresponding author.

H.Ohno, R.C. Aguilar, M-C. Fournier, S. Hennecke, P. Cosson, J.S. Bonifacino (1997). Interaction of Endocytic Signals from the HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Complex with Members of the Adaptor Medium Chain Family.VIROLOGY 238: 305-315

R.C. Aguilar, H. Ohno, K.W. Roche, J.S. Bonifacino (1997).Functional domain mapping of the clathrin-associated adaptor medium chains mu1 and mu2.JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 272: 27160-27166.

R.C. Aguilar*, L.A. Retegui, L.P. Roguin (1994) MAPAG: a computer program to construct two and three-dimensional antigenic maps. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIO-MEDICAL COMPUTING 37: 225-235 *Corresponding author.