Christine E. Bear
Professor
PhD, University of Toronto, 1984
Postdoc, University of Calgary, 1987
| Address | The Hospital for Sick Children Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning 686 Bay St. Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 |
| Lab | The Bear Lab |
| Office Phone | 416-813-5981 |
| bear@sickkids.ca |
Co-Director
SickKids Cystic Fibrosis Centre
In the News
Research Lab
Dr. Bear’s laboratory has a major interest in understanding the molecular basis for ion channel activity. She pursued postdoctoral training in patch clamp electrophysiology because of its power to provide insight into mechanisms underlying single ion channel activity. Her laboratory together with Dr. Jack Riordan, provided the first direct evidence that the CFTR protein functioned as a cyclic AMP regulated chloride channel. Since this discovery, the work in her laboratory led to key findings that underpin the current understanding in the field regarding the mechanism of action of this protein and the intrinsic defects induced by disease-causing mutations of the CFTR genes. Her laboratory has also contributed to the larger field of membrane protein assembly and function through the development of novel methods for membrane protein purification and functional reconstitution. These methods have also been successfully applied to discover the mechanisms underlying the correction of mutant CFTR protein by emerging small molecule therapeutics and in discovering new lead compounds targeting the major CF causing mutant protein. Currently, in collaboration with the stem cell community in Toronto, her laboratory has been successful in developing methodology suitable for measuring channel function in epithelia differentiated from iPS cells.
Learn more: The Bear Lab
Research Description
Research in Cystic Fibrosis and Kidney Disease
Our research is focused on two areas:
Cystic Fibrosis Research
Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) cause cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common fatal congenital disease amongst caucasians. Our work has provided direct evidence that CFTR acts as a phosphorylation and ATP regulated chloride channel and we have characterized the functional properties of the major CF-causing mutations. Currently, we are developing chemical-biology approaches to define the molecular lesion caused by these disease-causing mutations and to identify the molecular targets for therapeutics.
As Co-Director (with Dr. F. Ratjen) of the SickKids Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Dr. Bear is coordinating efforts to discover small molecules and peptides that are effective in correcting the trafficking and functional defects exhibited by CF mutants. Promising “hits” generated through structure-based drug design or high-throughput screens are currently undergoing validation in human respiratory epithelial cultures and in in-vivo studies of transgenic mice, possessing the major CF mutation. Sensitive clinical assays of drug efficacy and safety are being developed and validated to enhance translation of novel therapies.
Kidney Disease Research
Mutations in ClC-5, a chloride/proton antiporter causes Dent’s disease – a disease which is associated with proteinuria and renal failure in severe cases. The goal of our research is to understand how ClC-5 contributes (in a complex of other transporters and signaling proteins) to effective protein reabsorption by the kidney. Further, we will define the molecular basis for the renal pathology associated with disease-causing mutations in ClC-5 and identify protein targets for therapeutic intervention.
Courses Taught
BCH 2105H Cystic Fibrosis: The Cause, The Treatment
BCH 2024H Cystic Fibrosis: The cause, The treatment
BCH473Y Advanced Research Project in Biochemistry
Publications
View all publications on PubMed
The major cystic fibrosis causing mutation exhibits defective propensity for phosphorylation.
Pasyk S, Molinski S, Ahmadi S, Ramjeesingh M, Huan LJ, Chin S, Du K, Yeger H, Taylor P, Moran MF, Bear CE.
Proteomics. 2014 Oct 21. doi: 10.1002/pmic.201400218. [Epub ahead of print] Read
VX-809 and related corrector compounds exhibit secondary activity stabilizing active F508del-CFTR after its partial rescue to the cell surface.
Eckford PD, Ramjeesingh M, Molinski S, Pasyk S, Dekkers JF, Li C, Ahmadi S, Ip W, Chung TE, Du K, Yeger H, Beekman J, Gonska T, Bear CE.
Chem Biol. 2014 May 22;21(5):666-78 Read
Genetic, cell biological, and clinical interrogation of the CFTR mutation c.3700 A>G (p.Ile1234Val) informs strategies for future medical intervention.
Molinski SV, Gonska T, Huan LJ, Baskin B, Janahi IA, Ray PN, Bear CE.
Genet Med. 2014 Aug;16(8):625-32. Read