# Geoffrey Chang, Ph.D.

**Source**: https://pharmacy.ucsd.edu/faculty/chang
**Parent**: https://pharmacy.ucsd.edu/research/faculty

## Professor Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of Pharmacology

Email

g1chang@health.ucsd.edu

Phone

(858) 822-5490

Research Summary

Our research has been mostly focused on determining the x-ray structures of the four classes of multidrug resistance (MDR) transporters found in nature where the drug binding sites reside in the cell membrane. These crystal structures include a mammalian MDR ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter called P-glycoprotein (Pgp), three distinct structural conformations of a lipid ABC transporter called MsbA; the Small Multidrug Efflux (SMR) transporter EmrE with tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP); the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) MDR transporter EmrD; and the Multi-Antimicrobial Toxin Extrusion (MATE) MDR transporter NorM. These drug efflux pumps confer resistance in the treatment of several bacterial infections, cancers, and also HIV. Taken together, the x-ray structures of these MDR transporters reveal a common theme in their molecular structural biology. For example, all these transporters have hydrophobic and aromatic side-chains in their poly-specific binding pockets. Our findings have also revealed that their molecular structures are all V-shaped with substrate-entry portals that open towards the lipid bilayer. The positions of these portals enable these transporters to extract hydrophobic substrates directly from the inner membrane leaflet. Upon structural rearrangement to an outward-facing conformation, they present the substrates to the outer membrane leaflet or to outside. The x-ray structures of multiple conformations of MDR ABC transporters have also demonstrated that they are indeed very flexible molecules that can accommodate the binding of large substrates. These structures provide a molecular structural framework for understanding poly-specific drug binding and the mechanics coupling ATP binding/hydrolysis with substrate transport.

The laboratory has a very high commitment to develop innovative techniques for overcoming the challenges of producing and crystallizing integral membrane proteins suitable for biophysical analysis. The lab is also a major component of NSF funded center called CROPS: Center for Research On Plant TransporterS. The focus of our center is to provide high-affinity binders and solve the x-ray structures of plant transporters relevant for food, and also human. We also have structure-function projects focused on drug transporters important for multidrug resistance and drug efficacy as well as transporters for parasites causing malaria. We are pioneering a new method for evolving molecular scaffolds (synthetic affinity maturation), which include antibodies funded by the NIH Eureka mechanism. We are also introducing and re-engineering oil transporters to secrete alkanes and other biofuel substrates partnership with the US Air Force Research Laboratory.

Academic Achievements

**Education**: B.A. and M.S. in Biophysics (1993) University of Pennsylvania; Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics (1996) University of Pennsylvania. Post doc in Chemistry (1996-1999) Caltech.

**Awards and Honors**: PSI: Biology U54 Grant; Era of Hope Scholar (2004), Beckman Young Investigators (2001), Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2000).

Key Contributions

- Crystallized and determined molecular structures of four classes of MDR transporters.
- Methods development in membrane protein expression (including cell-free production of membrane proteins), purification, and crystallization.
- Demonstrated that MDR transporters have a V-like structure consist with their function moving hydrophobic substrates intercalated in the cell membrane.
- Development of a powerful molecular evolution platform applicable for antibody and biosensor discovery.

Selected Publications

- Ribeiro CL, et al.  (2020) [The uncharacterized gene EVE contributes to vessel element dimensions in Populus. *Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A*. 10.1073.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32041869/)
- Barros M, et al. (2020) [gamma-Secretase Partitioning into Lipid Bilayers Remodels Membrane Microdomains after Direct Insertion. *Langmuir.* 36(23):6569-79.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32432881/)
- Zaramela LS, et al. (2019) [Gut bacteria responding to dietary change encode sialidases that exhibit preference for red meat-associated carbohydrates. *Nat Microbiol.* 4(12):2082-9.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31548686/)
- Maity K, et al., (2019) [Cryo-EM structure of OSCA1.2 from Oryza sativa elucidates the mechanical basis of potential membrane hyperosmolality gating. *Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A*. 116(28):14309-18.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31227607/)
- Kopcho N, Chang G, Komives EA.  (2019) [Dynamics of ABC Transporter P-glycoprotein in Three Conformational States. *Sci Rep*. 9(1):15092.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Dynamics+of+ABC+Transporter+P-glycoprotein+in+Three+Conformational+States)
- Kalogriopoulos NA, et al. (2019) [Structural basis for GPCR-independent activation of heterotrimeric Gi proteins. *Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.* 116(33):16394-403.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Structural+basis+for+GPCR-independent+activation+of+heterotrimeric+Gi+proteins.)

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