Citation | Distinguished for his work on the regulation of cell metabolism. Following his discovery that physiological concentrations of Ca2+ activate mitochondrial NAD+ isocitrate dehydrogenase, and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes, he completely redefined the role of calcium in mitochondria. He has made substantial contributions to knowledge of mechanisms regulating fatty acid synthesis from glucose and the action of insulin, mainly by work on adipocytes. His discoveries include a new reaction pathway (mitochondrial pyrucate transport); activation by insulin of PDH complex, pyruvate kinase and acetylCoA carboxylase; demonstrating that insulin activation of PDH complex is mediated by activation of PDH phosphatase; and the demonstration that insulin activation of acetylCoA carboxylase involves phosphorylation of a specific serine residue by an insulin responsive protein kinase. |