Professor Sally McCormick

Contact Details

Phone: +64 3 479 7840
Email: sally.mccormick@otago.ac.nz

University Links

Position: Professor
Department: Department of Biochemistry
Qualifications: BAgriSci(Hons) PhD(Lincoln)
Research summary: Lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease

Research

My laboratory studies the genetics, proteomics and biochemistry of molecules involved in heart disease across a range of biological systems. A major class of molecules involved in heart disease are the plasma lipoproteins. We are currently studying the regulation of lipoprotein levels and composition to identify therapeutic targets for their manipulation with a particular interest in the Lp(a) and HDL lipoproteins which have opposing risk associations with heart disease. We are also investigating the variation in lipoprotein-associated genes in families with various dyslipidaemias. More recently we have begun a programme to test the effect of antioxidant compounds on biochemical markers of heart disease in both animal and human trials.

Inaugural professorial lecture

Media

Read about the Lipoprotein(a) work (with audio) on RNZ Nationals Our Changing World.

Positions available

Enquiries about projects from prospective graduate, postgraduate or postdoctoral researchers are welcome and should be sent to sally.mccormick@otago.ac.nz

For information about scholarships for postgraduate students go to the University of Otago website postgraduate information page

Funding

Funding for my research has been provided by the the Health Research Council of New Zealand, The National Heart Foundation, Lottery Health, Otago Medical Research Foundation and the University of Otago.

Publications

Siddiqui, H., Deo, N., Rutledge, M. T., Williams, M. J. A., Redpath, G. M. I., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2023). Plasminogen receptors promote lipoprotein(a) uptake by enhancing surface binding and facilitating macropinocytosis. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, & Vascular Biology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319344

Moors, J., Krishnan, M., Sumpter, N., Takei, R., Bixley, M., Cadzow, M., Major, T. J., Phipps Green, A., Topless, R., Merriman, M., Rutledge, M., Morgan, B., … Stamp, L., Taumoepeau, M., … Wilcox, P., … McCormick, S., … Merriman, T. R., & Leask, M. (2023). A Polynesian-specific missense CETP variant alters the lipid profile. Human Genetics & Genomic Advances, 4, 100204. doi: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100204

Siddiqui, H., Yevstigneyev, N., Madani, G., & McCormick, S. (2022). Approaches to visualising endocytosis of LDL-related lipoproteins. Biomolecules, 12, 158. doi: 10.3390/biom12020158

Akhavan, S. R., Falahatkar, B., McCormick, S. P. A., & Lokman, P. M. (2020). Changes in lipid biology during ovarian development in farmed beluga sturgeon, Huso huso L. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative & Comparative Physiology, 319, R376-R386. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00364.2019

Jones, G. T., Marsman, J., Bhat, B., Phillips, V. L., Chatterjee, A., Rodger, E. J., Williams, M. J. A., van Rij, A. M., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2020). DNA methylation profiling identifies a high effect genetic variant for lipoprotein(a) levels. Epigenetics, 15(9), 949-958. doi: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1739797

McCormick, S. P. A., Liu, C. Y.-Y., Young, S. G., & Nielsen, L. B. (2003). Manipulating large insert clones for transgenesis. In M. H. Hofker & J. van Deursen (Eds.), Methods in molecular biology: Transgenic mouse methods and protocols. (pp. 105-123). Totowa, NJ: Humana Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

McCormick, S. P. A., Allan, C. M., Taylor, J. M., & Young, S. G. (1997). The use of P1 bacteriophage clones to generate transgenic animals. In L. M. Houdebine (Ed.), Transgenic Animals: Generation and Use. (pp. 273-281). Amsterdam: Harwood Academic Publishers.

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Kader, T., Porteous, C. M., Jones, G. T., Dickerhof, N., Narayana, V. K., Tull, D., Taraknath, S., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2020). Ribose-cysteine protects against the development of atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice. PLoS ONE, 15(2), e0228415. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228415

Journal - Research Article

Morgan, B. M., Brown, A. N., Deo, N., Harrop, T. W. R., Taiaroa, G., Mace, P. D., Wilbanks, S. M., Merriman, T. R., Williams, M. J. A., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2020). Nonsynonymous SNPs in LPA homologous to plasminogen deficiency mutants represent novel null apo(a) alleles. Journal of Lipid Research, 61, 432-444. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M094540

Journal - Research Article

McCormick, S. P. A., & Schneider, W. J. (2019). Lipoprotein(a) catabolism: A case of multiple receptors. Pathology, 51(2), 155-164. doi: 10.1016/j.pathol.2018.11.003

Journal - Research Article

Rodger, E. J., Porteous, C. M., Jones, G. T., Legge, M., Kleffmann, T., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2018). Proteomic analysis of liver from lipoprotein(a) transgenic mice shows an oxidative stress and lipid export response. BioMed Research International, 2018, 4963942. doi: 10.1155/2018/4963942

Journal - Research Article

Sharma, M., Redpath, G. M., Williams, M. J. A., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2017). Recycling of apolipoprotein(a) after PlgRKT-mediated endocytosis of lipoprotein(a). Circulation Research, 120(7), 1091-1102. doi: 10.1161/circresaha.116.310272

Journal - Research Article

Damsteegt, E. L., Ozaki, Y., McCormick, S. P. A., & Lokman, P. M. (2016). Triacylglyceride physiology in the shortfinned eel, Anguilla australis: The effects of androgen. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative & Comparative Physiology, 310, R422-R431. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00149.2015

Journal - Research Article

Rasheed, H., Phipps-Green, A. J., Topless, R., Smith, M. D., Hill, C., Lester, S., … van Rij, A., Jones, G. T., McCormick, S. P., Harrison, A. A., Stamp, L. K., … Merriman, T. R. (2016). Replication of association of the apolipoprotein A1-C3-A4 gene cluster with the risk of gout. Rheumatology, 55(8), 1421-1430. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kew057

Journal - Research Article

Sharma, M., Tuaine, J., McLaren, B., Waters, D. L., Black, K., Jones, L. M., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2016). Chemotherapy agents alter plasma lipids in breast cancer patients and show differential effects on lipid metabolism genes in liver cells. PLoS ONE, 11(1), e0148049. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148049

Journal - Research Article

Damsteegt, E. L., Falahatimarvast, A., McCormick, S. P. A., & Lokman, P. M. (2015). Triacylglyceride physiology in the short-finned eel, Anguilla australis: Changes throughout early oogenesis. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative & Comparative Physiology, 308(11), R935-R944. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00436.2014

Journal - Research Article

Ooi, E. M., Watts, G. F., Chan, D. C., Pang, J., Tenneti, V. S., Hamilton, S. J., McCormick, S. P., … Barrett, P. H. R. (2015). Effects of extended-release niacin on the postprandial metabolism of Lp(a) and ApoB-100-containing lipoproteins in statin-treated men with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, & Vascular Biology, 35, 2686-2693. doi: 10.1161/atvbaha.115.306136

Journal - Research Article

Sharma, M., Von Zychlinski-Kleffmann, A., Porteous, C. M., Jones, G. T., Williams, M. J. A., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2015). Lipoprotein (a) upregulates ABCA1 in liver cells via scavenger receptor-B1 through its oxidized phospholipids. Journal of Lipid Research, 56, 1318-1328. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M056150

Journal - Research Article

Kader, T., Porteous, C. M., Williams, M. J. A., Gieseg, S. P., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2014). Ribose-cysteine increases glutathione-based antioxidant status and reduces LDL in human lipoprotein(a) mice. Atherosclerosis, 237(2), 725-733. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.10.101

Journal - Research Article

Rasheed, H., Hsu, A., Dalbeth, N., Stamp, L. K., McCormick, S., & Merriman, T. R. (2014). The relationship of apolipoprotein B and very low density lipoprotein triglyceride with hyperuricemia and gout. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 16(6), 495.

Journal - Research Article

von Zychilinski, A., Williams, M., McCormick, S., & Kleffmann, T. (2014). Absolute quantification of apolipoproteins and associated proteins on human plasma lipoproteins. Journal of Proteomics, 106, 181-190. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.04.030

Journal - Research Article

Sorrenson, B., Suetani, R. J., Williams, M. J. A., Bickley, V. M., George, P. M., Jones, G. T., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2013). Functional rescue of mutant ABCA1 proteins by sodium 4-phenylbutyrate. Journal of Lipid Research, 54, 55-62. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M027193

Journal - Research Article

Kardys, I., Oemrawsingh, R. M., Kay, P., Jones, G. T., McCormick, S. P. A., Daemen, J., … Serruys, P. (2012). Lipoprotein(a), interleukin-10, C-reactive protein, and 8-year outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention. Clinical Cardiology, 35(8), 482-489. doi: 10.1002/clc.21988

Journal - Research Article

Rodger, E. J., Suetani, R. J., Jones, G. T., Kleffmann, T., Carne, A., Legge, M., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2012). Proteomic analysis of aortae from human lipoprotein(a) transgenic mice shows an early metabolic response independent of atherosclerosis. PLoS ONE, 7(1), e30383. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030383

Journal - Research Article

Dickerhof, N., Kleffmann, T., Jack, R., & McCormick, S. (2011). Bacitracin inhibits the reductive activity of protein disulfide isomerase by disulfide bond formation with free cysteines in the substrate-binding domain. FEBS Journal, 278(12), 2034-2043. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2011.08119.x

Journal - Research Article

Roberts, R. L., van Rij, A. M., Phillips, L. V., Young, S., McCormick, S. P. A., Merriman, T. R., & Jones, G. T. (2011). Interaction of the inflammasome genes CARD8 and NLRP3 in abdominal aortic aneurysms. Atherosclerosis, 218(1), 123-126. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2011.04.043

Journal - Research Article

Sorrenson, B., Suetani, R. J., Bickley, V. M., George, P. M., Williams, M. J. A., Scott, R. S., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2011). An ABCA1 truncation shows no dominant negative effect in a familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia pedigree with three ABCA1 mutations. Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communications, 409(3), 400-405. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.05.006

Journal - Research Article

Suetani, R. J., Sorrenson, B., Tyndall, J. D. A., Williams, M. J. A., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2011). Homology modeling and functional testing of an ABCA1 mutation causing Tangier disease. Atherosclerosis, 218(2), 404-410. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2011.06.019

Journal - Research Article

von Zychlinski, A., Kleffmann, T., Williams, M. J. A., & McCormick, S. P. (2011). Proteomics of Lipoprotein(a) identifies a protein complement associated with response to wounding. Journal of Proteomics, 74, 2881-2891. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2011.07.008

Journal - Research Article

Brace, R. J., Sorrenson, B., Sviridov, D., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2010). A gel-based method for purification of apolipoprotein A-I from small volumes of plasma. Journal of Lipid Research, 51, 3370-3376. doi: 10.1194/jlr.D008300

Journal - Research Article

Pedersen, T. X., McCormick, S. P., Tsimikas, S., Bro, S., & Nielsen, L. B. (2010). Lipoprotein(a) accelerates atherosclerosis in uremic mice. Journal of Lipid Research, 51(10), 2967-2975. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M006742

Journal - Research Article

Wang, Y.-T., von Zychlinski, A., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2009). Dimyristoylphosphotidylcholine induces conformational changes in apoB that lowers lipoprotein(a). Journal of Lipid Research, 50(5), 846-853. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M800428-JLR200

Journal - Research Article

Murphy, A. J., Woollard, K. J., Hoang, A., Mukhamedova, N., Stirzaker, R. A., McCormick, S. P. A., … Chin-Dusting, J. (2008). High-density lipoprotein reduces the human monocyte inflammatory response. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, & Vascular Biology, 28(11), 2071-2077. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.108.168690

Journal - Research Article

Slatter, T. L., Jones, G. T., Williams, M. J. A., van Rij, A. M., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2008). Novel rare mutations and promoter haplotypes in ABCA1 contribute to low-HDL-C levels. Clinical Genetics, 73, 179-184. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2007.00940.x

Journal - Research Article

Jones, G. T., van Rij, A. M., Cole, J., Williams, M. J. A., Bateman, E. H., Marcovina, S. M., Deng, M., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2007). Plasma lipoprotein(a) indicates risk for 4 distinct forms of vascular disease. Clinical Chemistry, 53(4), 679-685.

Journal - Research Article

Slatter, T. L., Williams, M. J. A., Frikke-Schmidt, R., Tybjærg-Hansen, A., Morison, I. M., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2006). Promoter haplotype of a new ABCA1 mutant influences expression of familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia. Atherosclerosis, 187, 393-400.

Journal - Research Article

Jones, G. T., Jiang, F., McCormick, S. P. A., & Dusting, G. J. (2005). Elastic lamina defects are an early feature of aortic lesions in the apolipoprotein E knockout mouse. Journal of Vascular Research, 42, 237-246.

Journal - Research Article

Liu, C. Y.-Y., Broadhurst, R., Marcovina, S. M., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2004). Mutation of lysine residues in apolipoprotein B-100 causes defective lipoprotein[a] formation. Journal of Lipid Research, 45, 63-70.

Journal - Research Article

McCormick, S. P. A. (2004). Lipoprotein(a): Biology and clinical importance. Clinical Biochemist Reviews, 25, 69-80.

Journal - Research Article

Sharp, R. J., Perugini, M. A., Marcovina, S. M., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2004). Structural features of apolipoprotein B synthetic peptides that inhibit lipoprotein(a) assembly. Journal of Lipid Research, 45, 2227-2234.

Journal - Research Article

Sharp, R., Perugini, M. A., Marcovina, S. M., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2003). A synthetic peptide that inhibits lipoprotein(a) assembly. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, & Vascular Biology, 23, 502-507.

Journal - Research Article

Cheesman, E. J., Sharp, R., Zlot, C. H., Liu, C. Y.-Y., Taylor, S., Marcovina, S. M., … McCormick, S. P. A. (2000). An analysis of the interaction between mouse apolipoprotein B100 and apolipoprotein (a). Journal of Biological Chemistry, 275(36), 28195-28200. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M002772200

Journal - Research Article

Nielsen, L. B., McCormick, S. P. A., & Young, S. G. (1999). A new approach for studying gene regulation by distant DNA elements in transgenic mice. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Investigation, 59, 33-39.

Journal - Research Article

Stafforini, D. M., Tjoelker, L. W., McCormick, S. P. A., Vaitkus, D., McIntyre, T. M., Gray, P. W., … Prescott, S. M. (1999). Molecular basis of the interaction between plasma platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase and low density lipoprotein. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 274(11), 7018-7024. doi: 10.1074/jbc.274.11.7018

Journal - Research Article

Veniant, M., Kim, E., McCormick, S. P. A., Boren, J., Nielsen, L. B., Raabe, M., & Young, S. G. (1999). Insights into apolipoprotein B biology from transgenic and gene-targeted mice. Journal of Nutrition, 129, 451S-455S.

Journal - Research Article

Zlot, C. H., Flynn, L. M., Veniant, M., Kim, E., Raabe, M., McCormick, S. P. A., … Young, S. G. (1999). Generation of monoclonal antibodies specific for mouse apolipoprotein B-100 in apolipoprotein B-48-only mice. Journal of Lipid Research, 40, 76-84.

Journal - Research Article

Dichek, H. L., Brecht, W., Fan, J., Ji, Z.-S., McCormick, S. P. A., Akeefe, H., … Mahley, R. W. (1998). Overexpression of hepatic lipase in transgenic mice decreases apolipoprotein B-containing and high density lipoproteins. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 273(4), 1896-1903. doi: 10.1074/jbc.273.4.1896

Journal - Research Article

McCormick, S. P. A., & Nielsen, L. B. (1998). Expression of large genomic clones in transgenic mice: New insights into apolipoprotein B structure, function and regulation. Current Opinion in Lipidology, 9, 103-111.

Journal - Research Article

McCormick, S. P. A., Ng, J. K., Cham, C. M., Taylor, S., Marcovina, S. M., Segrest, J. P., … Young, S. G. (1997). Transgenic mice expressing human ApoB95 and ApoB97: Evidence that sequences within the carboxyl-terminal portion of human apoB100 are important for the assembly of lipoprotein(a). Journal of Biological Chemistry, 272(38), 23616-23622. doi: 10.1074/jbc.272.38.23616

Journal - Research Article

Nielson, L. B., McCormick, S. P. A., Pierotti, V., Tam, C., Gunn, M. D., Shizuya, H., & Young, S. G. (1997). Human apolipoprotein B transgenic mice generated with 207- and 145-kilobase pair bacterial artifical chromosomes: Evidence that a distant 5'-element confers appropriate transgene expression in the intestine. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 272(47), 29752-29758. doi: 10.1074/jbc.272.47.29752

Journal - Research Article

McCormick, S. P. A., Ng, J. K., Veniant, M., Boren, J., Pierotti, V., Flynn, L. M., … Young, S. G. (1996). Transgenic mice that overexpress mouse apolipoprotein B: Evidence that the DNA sequences controlling intestinal expression of the apolipoprotein B gene are distant from the structural gene. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 271(20), 11963-11970. doi: 10.1074/jbc.271.20.11963

Journal - Research Article

McCormick, S. P. A., Peterson, K. R., Hammer, R. E., Clegg, C. H., & Young, S. G. (1996). Generation of transgenic mice from yeast artificial chromosome DNA that has been modified by gene targeting. Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, 6(1), 16-24. doi: 10.1016/1050-1738(95)00125-5

Journal - Research Article

Young, S. G., Krul, E. S., McCormick, S., Farese, Jr, R. V., & Linton, M. F. (1996). Identification and characterization of truncated forms of apolipoprotein B in hypobetalipoproteinemia. Methods in Enzymology, 263, 120-145.

Journal - Research Article

McCormick, S. P. A., Day, W. A., & George, P. M. (1995). Characterization of lipoproteins containing a truncated form of apolipoprotien B, apolipoprotien B32. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta: General Subjects, 1258(1), 49-56. doi: 10.1016/0005-2760(95)00096-U

Journal - Research Article

Siddiqui, H., Yevstigneyev, N., Madani, G., & McCormick, S. (2022). Approaches to visualising endocytosis of LDL-related lipoproteins. Biomolecules, 12, 158. doi: 10.3390/biom12020158

Journal - Research Other

Hooper, A. J., McCormick, S. P. A., Hegele, R. A., & Burnett, J. R. (2017). Clinical utility gene card for: Tangier disease. European Journal of Human Genetics, 25, e1-e3. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2017.72

Journal - Research Other

Jones, G. T., Deng, M., Hammond-Tooke, G. D., McCormick, S. P. A., & van Rij, A. M. (2009). Increased plasma lipoprotein(a) found in large-artery atherosclerotic, but not small-artery occlusive, stroke [Letter to the editor]. Clinical Chemistry, 55(10), 1888-1890. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2009.126771

Journal - Research Other

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Professor Sally McCormick

Contact Details

University Links

Research

Inaugural professorial lecture

Media

Positions available

Funding

Publications