My project involves studying the involvement of autophagy in the propagation and/or removal of prion protein during prion diseases. Although autophagy has been involved in the clearance of many other neurodegenerative proteins, we are only now beginning to understand the relationship between this process and prion aggregates. Through cell and animal studies, I intend to explore the effect of autophagy induction and inhibition during prion propagation, and possibly outline strategies for the prevention of prion diseases. 

Papers:

Li G, Bindokas VP, Norstrom EM, Green WN, Sayeed A, Cortes CJ, Mastrianni JA. Misfolded Prion Protein is Shunted from Endoplasmic Reticulum to Lysosome by Autophagy.  (in writing)

Retamal MA, Cortes CJ, Reuss L, Bennett MV, Saez JC. S-nitrosylation and permeation through connexin 43 hemichannels in astrocytes: induction by oxidant stress and reversal by reducing agents.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2006 Mar 21;103(12):4475-80. Epub 2006 Mar 14.

Cortes CJ, Codelia VA, Manosalva I, de Lange J, De Los Reyes M, Moreno RD. Proacrosin/acrosin quantification as an indicator of acrosomal integrity in fresh and frozen dog spermatozoa.  Anim. Reprod. Sci., 2006 Jun;93(1-2):165-75. Epub 2005 Oct 5.