Professor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Ph.D. (1968) University of California at Los Angeles
irwin.chaiken@drexelmed.edu

Research Program

Our research is centered in the area of molecular and structural mechanisms of protein recognition and antagonism.

A major area of effort is on the protein-protein complexes that drive HIV-1 cell entry into host cells. We investigate interactions of the viral envelope proteins with host cell receptor proteins using protein chemistry, molecular biological and biophysical tools. We use peptide chemistry and molecular biology approaches to design antagonists of the entry process that could be used in the development of AIDS therapeutics, microbicides and vaccines.

We also investigate protein assembly mechanisms for the interleukin 5 family of receptors that are involved in inflammatory and myeloproliferative diseases. Here, we utilize a multidisciplinary approach, involving molecular biology, protein chemistry, peptide chemistry and cell studies to identify mechanisms of receptor activation and paths to receptor antagonism.

In coordination with the above research program, we also pursue the utilization and development of biosensor methodologies to measure protein-protein interactions in solution (a continuing theme in receptor recognition and antagonism studies) and in cells (a growing area for future research to define molecular mechanisms in health and disease).

Chaiken Lab

Selected References

McFadden, K., Cocklin, S., Gopi, H.N., Baxter, S., Ajith, S., Mahmood N., Shattock, R., Chaiken, I. (2007) A Recombinant Allosteric Lectin Antagonist of HIV-1 Envelope gp120 Interactions. Proteins: Structure, Function and Bioinformatics 67: 617-629, 2007.

Bhattacharya, M., Pillalamari, U., Sarkhel, S., Ishino, T., Urbina, C., Jamerson, B., and Chaiken, I. Recruitment Pharmacophore for Interleukin 5 Receptor Alpha Antagonism. Biopolymers Peptide Science 88: 83-93, 2007.

McCourt, P., Nickels, J., Ishino, T., and Chaiken, I. Protein Recognition in Biology. In: Handbook of Biosensors and Biochips, Marks, R.S., Cullen, D.C., Karube, I., Lowe, C.R., and Weetall, H.H., Eds., John Wiley and Sons, in press, 2007.

Gopi, H. N., Tirupula K.C., Baxter, S., Ajith, S. and Chaiken, I.M. Click chemistry on azidoproline: High-affinity dual antagonist for HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120. ChemMedChem 1: 54-57, 2006.

Ishino T, Urbina C, Bhattacharya M, Panarello D and Chaiken I. Receptor epitope usage by interleukin 5 mimetic peptide. J. Biol. Chem. 280: 22951 22961, 2005

Ishino T, Robertson N and Chaiken I. Cytokine recognition of human IL5 receptor. In Vitamins and Hormones (Litwack, G., ed) 71: 321-344, Academic Press, NY, 2005.

Biorn A C, Cocklin S, Madani N, Si Z, Ivanovic T, Samanen| J, Van Ryk DI, Pantophlet R, Burton DR, Freire E, Sodroski J, and Chaiken I. Mode of action for linear peptide inhibitors of HIV-1 gp120 interactions. Biochemistry 43: 1928-1938, 2004.

Ishino T, Pasut G, Scibek J, and Chaiken I. Kinetic interaction analysis of human interleukin 5 receptor  mutants reveals a unique binding topology and charge distribution for cytokine recognition. J Biol Chem. 279: 9547-9556, 2004.