O'Connor, A.

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O'Connor, A.
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O'Connor, A.

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  • Publication
    Poly(ethylene glycol)-based backbones with high peptide loading capacities
    (MDPI, 2014-10-30)
    O'Connor, Aoife 
    ;
    Marsat, Jean-Noël 
    ;
    Mitrugno, Annachiara 
    ;
    Brayden, David James 
    ;
    et al. 
    Polymer-peptide conjugates are a promising class of compounds, where polymers can be used to overcome some of the limitations associated with peptides intended for therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications. Linear polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol) can be conjugated through terminal moieties and have therefore limited loading capacities. In this research, functionalised linear poly(ethylene glycol)s are utilised for peptide conjugation, to increase their potential loading capacities. These poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives are conjugated to peptide sequences containing representative side-chain functionalised amino acids, using different conjugation chemistries, including copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, amide coupling and thiol-ene reactions. Conjugation of a sequence containing the RGD motif to poly(allyl glycidyl ether) by the thiol-ene reaction, provided a conjugate which could be used in platelet adhesion studies.
      205Scopus© Citations 8
  • Publication
    Synaptotagmin-like protein 4 and Rab8 interact and increase dense granule release in platelets
    (Wiley, 2013-01-27)
    Hampson, A. 
    ;
    O'Connor, A. 
    ;
    Smolenski, Albert P. 
    Background: Platelets are highly specialized cells that regulate hemostasis and thrombosis in the vasculature. Upon activation, platelets release various granules that impact on platelets, the coagulation system, other blood cells and the vessel wall; however, the mechanisms controlling granule release are only partially known. We have shown previously that synaptotagmin-like protein (Slp)1 decreases dense granule release in platelets. Objectives: To determine the role of other Slps and their binding partners on platelet dense granule release. Methods: RT-PCR and immunoblotting were used to identify Slps in human platelets. Interaction between Slp4 and Rab8 was investigated with pull-down assays, coimmunoprecipitation, and confocal microscopy. Secretion assays on permeabilized platelets were performed to investigate the effects of Slp4 and Rab8 on dense granule release. Results: Slp4 mRNA and protein are expressed in human platelets. Slp4 interacts with Rab8 in transfected cells and at endogenous protein levels in platelets. We mapped the Rab interaction site to the Slp-homology domain of Slp4, and showed preferential binding of Slp4 to the GTP-bound form of Rab8. Live microscopy showed colocalization of green fluorescent protein-Slp4 and mCherry-Rab8 at the plasma membrane of transfected cells. Endogenous platelet Slp4 and Rab8 colocalized in the center of activated platelets, where granule secretion takes place. Secretion assays revealed that Slp4 and Rab8 enhance dense granule release and that the Slp4 effect is dependent on Rab8 binding. Conclusions: Slp4 and Rab8 are expressed and interact in human platelets, and might be involved in dense granule release.
      382Scopus© Citations 25