ABSTRACT
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Celia Segui-Perez is first author on ‘ MUC13 negatively regulates tight junction proteins and intestinal epithelial barrier integrity via protein kinase C’, published in JCS. Celia is a PhD student in the lab of Karin Strijbis at the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands, investigating the role of mucins in health and disease.
Celia Segui-Perez
How would you explain the main findings of your paper in lay terms?
The intestinal mucosa is an important barrier tissue that allows the uptake of nutrients but also prevents bacteria from passing through and causing infection. Intestinal epithelial cells are connected by ‘gate structures’ called tight junctions, which can be opened and closed. In addition, the epithelium is covered by a mucus layer consisting of large sugar-decorated mucin proteins, which keeps bacteria at a distance. Normally, transmembrane mucins are found on top of the cells facing the lumen of the intestine. To our surprise, we found that the transmembrane mucin MUC13 is located not only at the top of the cells but also between the cells with tight junction proteins. When we deleted MUC13 in our cells, tight junction proteins were highly upregulated via a signaling protein called PKCδ, and the barrier function was increased. Our insights contribute to the understanding of both intestinal barrier regulation and the intestinal barrier dysfunction that is characteristic of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Were there any specific challenges associated with this project? If so, how did you overcome them?
The challenge with studying mucins is that they are very large and highly glycosylated proteins. Therefore, techniques like separation on gels for western blotting and detection with antibodies need to be optimized. For example, good antibodies against MUC13 were not available, and for this reason, we generated a novel anti-MUC13 hybridoma using a special mouse immunization protocol adapted for membrane proteins. Using this novel hybridoma and a commercially available antibody, we could detect populations of MUC13 in different membrane locations.
Why did you choose Journal of Cell Science for your paper?
We discussed our manuscript with cell biologist Professor Anna Akhmanova in our institute, and she recommended Journal of Cell Science as a high-quality journal suitable for our story. Wei Wu, one of my co-authors, had also had a good experience with Journal of Cell Science.
Transmembrane mucins are normally found on the apical surface of the intestinal mucosa. In this picture, MUC13 is stained with two different antibodies (green), showing that it can localize to both the apical and lateral membranes of intestinal epithelial cells. Nuclei are shown in white.
What motivated you to pursue a career in science, and what have been the most interesting moments on the path that led you to where you are now?
From a young age I have been fascinated by the concept of small things and how often they can have a profound impact. After learning about cells, bacteria and viruses, I immersed myself in the fields of microbiology and cell biology. Additionally, my personal experiences with frequent bacterial infections and the need for antibiotic treatments have fueled my desire to dive deeper into the world of bacteria–host interactions that affect human health. I find a deep sense of accomplishment in troubleshooting and overcoming obstacles that arise during the research process. In the laboratory, perseverance and discipline are indispensable, as experiments don't often yield the expected results. Nonetheless, the ability to adapt, learn and persevere in the face of failures has proven to be a very rewarding aspect of my scientific journey, and something that I can apply to both my professional and personal life.
Who are your role models in science? Why?
I don't have a particular scientist in mind, but I do enjoy being part of collaborative projects in which people with different expertise come together and cultivate innovative ideas. In addition, my parents are both well-educated in different scientific disciplines (chemistry, physics and technology). Growing up, they cultivated a curiosity in me to question and understand the ‘why’ of the world around me. Everyday scientific conversations and jokes within our family served as a constant source of inspiration for my passion for science.
What's next for you?
My next steps as a scientist will be to pursue a postdoctoral position in which I can continue to contribute to the field of bacteria–host interactions.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that wouldn't be on your CV
I am very interested in healthy living, nutrition and sports. I have devoted a significant amount of time to reading articles and writing blog posts about how we can achieve and maintain a beneficial microbiome for optimal health. You can also often find me playing the piano, something that I learned since a young age growing up in Ibiza, Spain.
Celia Segui-Perez’s contact details: Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
