Muscular Physiology and Pharmacology Research

Summary Science Features

Inducible nitric oxide synthase as a major mediator of inflammation

The research in our laboratory has revealed that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a major mediator of inflammation, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of obesity-induced insulin resistance and diabetes, and stress (e.g., burn injury, endotoxemia)-induced insulin resistance and muscle wasting.  Furthermore, our research team has demonstrated that protein S-nitrosylation, the covalent attachment of nitric oxide (NO) moiety to reactive cysteine thiols, is a major contributor to iNOS-involved nitrosative stress in cultured cells and in vivo in animal models of human diseases. 

Sirt family proteins, mammalian homologues of the yeast longevity gene, in stress response 

We have investigated the role of sirtuins, mammalian homologues of the yeast longevity gene, Sir2, in stress response.  The research in our laboratory has revealed that inhibition of Sirt1 induces senescence-like sustained growth arrest in human cancer and normal cells.

Protein farnesylation as a novel mediator of inflammation

Our research team has also documented that increased protein farnesylation, a lipid modification of cysteine residue, plays a pathogenic role in inflammatory response/stress signaling-involved human diseases.  Manumycin A, a protein farnesyltransferase inhibitor, ameliorates atherogenesis in apoE-deficient mice fed high-fat diet without reducing circulating cholesterol level.