Education
B.S. (Chemistry/Biology) Florence State University, 1973
Ph.D. (Biochemistry; mentor Juan Navia) University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1981
Postdoc. (Biochemistry; mentor William Butler) University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1981-1984
Current Appointments
Research Interests
The major long term objective of our research program is to understand how macromolecular components of bone extracellular matrix influence bone homeostatis, i.e., the sum of formation and resorption. Much past research on matrix macromolecules of bone has been focused on their roles in bone formation, however, the last few years have yielded good evidence that such macromolecules also have roles in osteoclast function, such as mediating adhesion to bone surfaces, as well as roles in other tissue systems, eg., role of osteopontin in the immune system. We have proposed that post-translational structural modifications, such as alterations in phosphorylation, sulfation, homocysteinylation and covalent crosslinking, of extracellular matrix macromolecules modify the functional abilities of affected proteins. Our efforts are focused, not just on descriptions of post-translational modifications, but on how they are regulated and how they alter the functions of these molecules. Many of our studies have examined the RGD-containing, secreted phosphoprotein, osteopontin.
Current research concentrates on molecular and cellular approaches to investigate the potential mechanisms by which homocysteine, a thiol-containing amino acid implicated in vascular disease, may structurally modify extracellular matrix macromolecules of other connective tissue, including mineralized tissues.
An additional area of interest is an examination of the interaction of bone matrix macromolecules and bone cells with biomaterials used in orthopedic and dental implants. We focus on rigorously characterized titanium, titanium alloy and hydroxyapatite-coated surfaces.
Representative Publications
Ong JL, Prince CW, Raikar GN, Lucas LC. Effect of surface topography of titanium on surface chemistry and cellular response. Implant Dentistry 1996;5(2):83-8. (Abstract)
Lasa M, Chang PL, Prince CW, Pinna LA. Phosphorylation of osteopontin by Golgi apparatus casein kinase. Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communications 1997;240(3):602-5. (Abstract)
Klinger MM, Rahemtulla F, Prince CW, Lucas LC, Lemons JE. Proteoglycans at the bone-implant interface. Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine 1998;9(4):449-63. (Abstract)
Krumdieck CL, Prince CW. Mechanisms of homocysteine toxicity on connective tissues: implications for the morbidity of aging. Journal of Nutrition 2000;130(2S Suppl):365S-368S. (Abstract) (Full Text)
Petrow PK, Hummel KM, Schedel J, Franz JK, Klein CL, Muller-Ladner U, Kriegsmann J, Chang PL, Prince CW, Gay RE, Gay S. Expression of osteopontin messenger RNA and protein in rheumatoid arthritis: effects of osteopontin on the release of collagenase 1 from articular chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts. Arthritis & Rheumatism 2000;43(7):1597-605. (Abstract)
Recent Publications
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