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Professor Martin Griffin

 

Professor in Biochemistry

School of Life & Health Sciences
Aston University
Aston Triangle
Birmingham B4 7ET
UK

m.griffin@aston.ac.uk

 

 

Member of research strand 'Development of novel drugs, formulations and tissues to support healthy ageing' - Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing

Martin Griffin

Research Interests

For over thirty years, Professor Griffin's major research area has been geared towards understanding the biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology of a group of enzymes referred to as transglutaminases.  This group of enzymes is commonly referred to as “protein biological glues” since it can crosslink proteins into stable, high molecular weight structures such as those found in skin, in fibrin cross linking during blood coagulation and in hair.
Focus has been mostly on the tissue transglutaminase (TG2), and in particular, the importance of this enzyme in cell death, matrix deposition and cell adhesion and the relationship of these functions to wound healing, tissue fibrosis and scarring, tumour progression and cystic fibrosis.
Recent work has also been concerned with the use of transglutaminases in the bioengineering of natural polymers for the development of novel biomaterials used in soft (eg: diabetic ulcers and pressure sores) and hard (eg: bone) tissue repair.

External Activities and Appointments

  • President of the European Association for Higher Education in Biotechnology.
  • Fellow of the Institute of Biology.
  • Evaluator for the National Research Foundation of South Africa.
  • EPSRC Peer Review College Member.
  • Previous Panel Member of RAE 2008. 

Publications from 2003 to date

  • Cross-linking of cellular proteins by tissue transglutaminase during necrotic cell death: a mechanism for maintaining tissue integrity (2003).
    B Nicholas, P Smethurst, E Verderio, R Jones and M Griffin.
    Biochem J    , 371:413-422.
  • Transglutaminase and the progression of Human Renal Scarring (2003).
    TS Johnson, AF El-Koraie, NJ Skill, NM Baddour, AM El-Nahas, M Njloma, AG Adam and M Griffin.
    J Am Soc Neph    , 14: 2052-2062.
  • The importance of tissue transglutaminase in repair of extracellular matrices and cell death of dermal fibroblasts after exposure to a solarium UVA source (2003).
    S Gross, Z Balklava and M Griffin.
    J Invest Dermat     121, 412-423.
  • A novel RGD-independent cell adhesion pathway mediated by fibronectin bound tissue transglutaminase rescues cells from anoikis (2003).
    E Verderio, D Telci, A Okaye, G Meline and M Griffin.
    J Biol Chem     278: 42604–42614.
  • Activation of ERK1/2, JNK and PKB by hydrogen peroxide in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells: role of ERK1/2 in H2O2-induced cell death (2003).
    J Ruffles, M Griffin and J Dickenson.
    Eur J Pharmaco    . 483, 163-173.
  • Novel approach to improving enzyme penetration (2003).
    K Senior, M Griffin, R Collighan.
    BLC Journal     Vol:46 Nov.
  • Transglutaminases in the leather industry.
    R Collighan & M Griffin.
    BLC Journal     Vol: 46 Jan.
  • Transglutaminases as tanning agents for the leather industry (2004).
    RJ Collighan, S Clara, X Li, J Parry and M Griffin.
    J Am Leather Chemists Ass     99, 289-298.
  • Application of transglutaminases in the modification of wool textiles (2004).
    J Cortez, PR Bonner and M Griffin.
    Enzyme and Microbial Technology     34, 64-72.
  • Tissue transglutaminase: a mediator and predictor of chronic allograft Nephropathy (2004).
    TS Johnson, Hamby Abo-Zenah, J Skill, S Bex, G Wild, CB Brown. M Griffin and AM El- Nahas.
    Transplantation     7 (ii), 1667-1675.
  • An improved colorimetric assay for the measurement of transglutaminase (type II) ε(γ-glutamyl) lysine cross-linking activity SM Trigwell (2004).
    PT Lynch, M Griffin, AJ Hargreaves and PLR Bonner.
    Analytical Biochemistry     330:164-166.
  • Elevated epsilon (gamma –glutamyl) lysine in human diabetic nephropathy results from increased expression and cellular release of tissue transglutaminase (2004).
    AM El-Nahas, M Abo-Zenah, NJ Skill, S Bex, G Wild, M Griffin, TS Johnson.
    Nephron Clinical Pract    , 97:387-404.
  • Enzymatic stabilisation of Gelatin Based Scaffolds (2004).
    EM Broderic, DMO Halloran, YA Rotchev, M Griffin, RJ Collighan, AS Pandit.
    J Biomedical Materials, Research     72b 1:37-42.
  • Role of transglutaminase 1 in stabilisation of intercellular junctions of the vascular endothelium (2004).
    W Baumgartner, N Golenhofen, A Weth, T Hiiragi, R Saint, M Griffin and D Drenckhahn.
    Histochem Cell Biol     122, 17-25.
  • Actvation of protein kinase B by adenosine A1 and A3 receptors in newborn rat cardiomyocytes (2004).
    R Germack, M Griffin, JM Dickenson.
    J Mol and Cellular     Cardiology 37,989-999.
  • Inhibition of transglutaminase activity reduces extracellular matrix accumulation induced by high glucose levels in proximal tubule cells (2004).
    NJ Skill, TS Johnson, IGM Fisher, L Huang, IGC Coutts, RE Saint, AM El-Nahas, RJ Collighan, M.Griffin.
    J Biol Chem     279, 47754-47762.
  • Novel Method for stabilising gelatine based scaffolds (2004).
    D O’Halloran, Y Garcia, E Broderick, Y Rotchev, M Griffin, R Collighan and A Pandit.
    Proceedings of the 10th Annual Conference of the Section of Bioengineering,     RA of Medicine in Ireland (Ed- DP Fitzpatrick,BAO McCormack & TM McGloughlin).
  • Activation of protein kinase B by adenosine A1 and A3 receptors in newborn rat cardiomyocytes (2004).
    R. Germack, M. Griffin, J.M. Dickenson.
    J Mol Cell     Cardiol. Nov;37(5):989-99.
  • Transglutaminase treatment of wool fabrics leads to resistance to detergent damage (2005).
    J. Cortez, P.L. Bonner, M. Griffin.
    J Biotechnol.     Apr 6;116(4):379-86.
  • The cellular response to transglutaminase-cross-linked collagen (2005).
    D.Y. Chau, R.J. Collighan, E.A. Verderio, V.L. Addy, M. Griffin.
    Biomaterials     Nov;26(33):6518-29.
  • Scaffold characterisation for nucleus pulposus regeneration (2005).
    D. O'Halloran, M. White, R.J. Collighan, M. Griffin, & A.S. Pandit.
    European Cells and     Materials 10 (Suppl. 3):9.
  • Unexpected role of surface transglutaminase type II in celiac disease (2005).
    L Maiuri, C Ciacci, I Ricciardelli, L Vacca, V Raia, A Rispo, M Griffin, T Issekutz, S Quaratino, M Londei.
    Gastroenterology 129(5):1400-1413.
  • Matrix changes induced by transglutaminase 2 lead to inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor growth (2006).
    R.A. Jones, P. Kotsakis, T.S. Johnson, D.Y. Chau, S. Ali, G. Melino, M. Griffin.
    Cell Death Differ    . Sep;13(9):1442-53.
  • Collagen: structure and modification for biomedical applications (2006)
    DYS Chau, RJ Collighan, M Griffin.
    Trends in Biomaterials research     Ed Patrick J Pannone Nova Publishers (in press).
  • The role of tissue transglutaminase in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced toxicity in differentiated human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma Cells (2006).
    K.E. Beck, L.A. De Girolamo, M. Griffin, E.E. Billett.
    Neurosci Lett. Sep 11    ;405(1-2):46-51.
  • Characterisation of a microbial transglutaminase cross-linked type II collagen scaffold (2006).
    D. O'Halloran, R.J. Collighan, M. Griffin, & A.S. Pandit.
    Tissue Engineering     12 (6):1467-1474.
  • Transglutaminase inhibition ameliorates tissue scarring and fibrosis : experience in a kidney model (2007).
    TS Johnson, M Fisher, JL Haylor, Z Hau, NJ Skill, R Jones, R Saint, I Coutts, AM El Nahas, M Griffin.
    J American Society Nephrology (    in press).
  • Transglutaminase mediated grafting of silk proteins onto wool fabrics leading to improved physical and mechanical properties (2007).
    J Cortez, A Anghieri, PLR Bonner M Griffin, G Freddi.
    Enzyme and Microbial Technology 40 (7)1698-1704 Sp Iss SI.
  • Assessment of cell viability in a three-dimensional enzymatically cross-linked collagen scaffold (2007).
    Y Garcia, R Collighan, M Griffin, A S Pandit.
    Journal of Materials Science : Materials in Medicine     18 (10) 1991-2001
  • Tissue tranglutaminase and the stress response (2007)
    Ientile R, Caccamo D, Griffin M.
    Amino Acids., 33(2):373-84.
  • Tissue transglutaminase in tumour progression: friend or foe? (2007)
    Kotsakis P, Griffin M.
    Amino Acids, 33(2):373-84.
  • Collagen: structure and modification for biomatierials applications. (2007)
    Chau DYS, Collighan RJ, Griffin M.
    Trends in Biomatierials Research. Ed. Patrick J Pannone (Nova Publishers).
  • Tethering a laminin peptide to a cross-linked collagen scaffold for biofunctionality (2008).
    Damodaran G, Collighan R, Griffin M, Pandit A.
    Journal of Biomedical Matierials Research Part A (Epub ahead of print). DOI:10.1002/jmb.a.32045. 
  • Towards development of a dermal rudiment for enhanced wound healing response (2008).
    Garcia Y, Wilkins B, Collighan RJ, Griffin M, Pandit A.
    Biomatierials 29(7):857-868.
  • Transglutaminase inhibition ameliorates tissue scarring and fibrosis: experience in a kidney model. (2008)
    Johnson TS, Fisher M, Haylor JL, Hau Z, Skill NJ, Jones R, Saint R, Coutts I, El Nahas AM, Griffin M.
    J American Society 14(8),2052-2062.
  • Fibronectin-tissue transglutaminase matrix rescues RGD-impaired cell adhesion through Syndecan 4 and Beta 1 integrin co-signaling. (2008)
    Telci D et al, Griffin M.
    J Biol Chem 283(30):20937-20947.
  • In-vitro characterization of a collagen scaffold enzymatically crosslinked with a tailored elastin-like polymer (2008).
    Garcia Y, Hemantkumar N, Collighan R, Griffin M, Pandit A.
    Published online DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea2008.0104.
    Tissue Engineering. 
  • Synthesis of portent water soluble tissue transglutaminase inhibitors (2008).
    Griffin M, Mongeot A, Collighan R, Saint RE, Jones RA, Coutts IGC, Rathbone DL.
    Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 18, 5559-5562.
  • Transglutaminase 2 cross-linking of matrix proteins - biological significance and medical applications (2009).
    Collighan R, Griffin M.
    Amino Acids, 36(4), 659-670.
  • Modulation of TG2 in tubular epithelial cells alters extracellular matrix levels: a potential mechanism of tissue scarring (2009).
    Fischer M et al, Griffin M, Johnson TS.
    Matrix Biology 28(1),28,20-31.                                                                   

Recent Education and Science Policy Papers

  • European Doctorate in Biotechnology:added value for European Academia and Industry(2004)
    CFA Bryce, J Aghion, P Bos, F Celada, M Griffin, R Hull,.
    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education     32 352-357

Recent Invited Review Articles

1. Transglutaminase 2 cross-linking of matrix proteins - biological significance and medical applications (2009).
Collighan R, Griffin M.
Amino Acids, 36(4), 659-670.

2. Tissue transglutaminase in tumour progression : friend or foe? (2007) .
P Kotsakis , M Griffin.
Amino Acids 33 (2) 373-384.

3. Tissue tranglutaminase and the stress response (2007).
R Ientile, D Caccamo, M Griffin
Amino Acids 33 (2) 385-394

4. Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) – a wound response enzyme (2006).
D Telci, M Griffin.
Frontiers in Bioscience 11 867-882.

5. Transglutaminases in wound healing and inflammation (2005).
M Griffin T Johnson and E Verderio.
Invited chapter for monograph on “Transglutaminase family of enzymes in series Progress in Experimental and Tumor Research. Karger Group of Publishers, vol 38, pp89-114.

6.Transglutaminase and vascular biology: Physiopathologic implications and perspectives for therapeutic interventions (2005).
CM Bergamini, M Griffin, FS Pansini.
Current Medicinal Chemistry 12(20):2357-2372.

7. Tissue transglutaminase in normal and abnormal wound healing (2004).
E Verderio T Johnson M Griffin.
Amino Acids, 26:387-404.

8. Transglutaminases: their commercial applications and potential use in the leather industry (2003).
R Collighan and M Griffin.
British Leather Technology J, 46:2-6.

9. Transglutaminases, Nature’s biological Glues (2004).
M Griffin, R Casadio and CM Bergamini.
Biochem .J Reviews, 368:377-396.

10. Biotechnological applications of transglutaminases (2002)
 R Collighan, J Cortez and M Griffin.
Minerva Biotechnologica, 14:143-148.

11.Tissue transglutaminase in cell death (2000).
M Griffin and E Verderio.
In Programmed Cell Death in Animals and Plants. Ed. JA Bryant, SG Hughes. and JM Garland. Bios Scientific Pubs, pp223-240.

Prof Martin Griffin / Aston University / last updated April 2009