Paul W. Hruz, Ph.D., M.D.

DEPARTMENT OF Pediatrics
Keywords: protein structure, glucose transport, diabetes, AIDS, HIV therapy

Our research efforts are directed toward understanding facilitative glucose transport as it relates to normal and disordered glucose homeostasis. A primary effort in our laboratory is the determination of structure/function relationships within the facilitative glucose transport proteins (GLUTs). We are using state of the art chemical and biophysical approaches to the determination of tertiary and quaternary structures of the human erythrocyte glucose transporter GLUT1 and the insulin responsive glucose transporter GLUT4.

In addition, we are also investigating the molecular mechanisms responsible for altered glucose homeostasis during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Currently we are studying the acute effects of HIV protease inhibitors on peripheral glucose disposal, hepatic glucose production, and insulin secretion using both in vitro and in vivo model systems.