The Claxton Laboratory investigates the relationships between protein structure, dynamics, and function using advanced biochemical and biophysical approaches. Research in the lab focuses on nutrient transporters and membrane-integrated enzymes that are essential to lipid metabolism.
By combining molecular biology techniques with emerging machine learning tools, the lab aims to advance understanding of key metabolic proteins, including glucose-6-phosphatase and members of the PAPP2 superfamily.
Current research efforts center on three primary areas:
- G6PC1: Characterizing disease-associated variants through integrative structural analysis using AlphaFold2 and AlphaMissense, with a focus on its role in Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1b and lipid metabolism.
- G6PT: Defining the mechanisms underlying glucose-6-phosphate transport and its function in metabolic pathways.
- PRKACA–hG6PT Interaction: Investigating regulatory interactions that influence transporter activity and metabolic control.
Through these studies, the Claxton Lab seeks to uncover fundamental mechanisms of metabolic regulation and identify potential therapeutic targets for metabolic disease.