A5005382653- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Mentoring and Academic Development
- Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
- Career Development and Diversity
- ATP Synthase and ATPases Research
- Metabolism and Genetic Disorders
- Diversity and Career in Medicine
- Higher Education Research Studies
- Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Muscle Physiology and Disorders
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- Estrogen and related hormone effects
- Hormonal Regulation and Hypertension
- Sodium Intake and Health
- Doctoral Education Challenges and Solutions
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Health and Medical Research Impacts
- Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies
- Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Disease
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
Vanderbilt University
2021-2025
Meharry Medical College
2024-2025
Fraternal Order of Eagles
2020-2024
University of Iowa
2020-2024
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
2024
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
2024
WinnMed
2021-2023
Lexington VA Health Care System
2023
Mayo Clinic
2021-2023
University Medical Center
2023
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is widely used as an imaging modality to provide high-resolution details of subcellular components within cells and tissues. Mitochondria endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are organelles particular interest those investigating metabolic disorders. A straightforward method for quantifying characterizing aspects these would be a useful tool. In this protocol, we outline how accurately assess the morphology important structures using open source software ImageJ,...
Mitochondrial structure often determines the function of these highly dynamic, multifunctional, eukaryotic organelles, which are essential for maintaining cellular health. The dynamic nature mitochondria is apparent in descriptions different mitochondrial shapes [e.g., donuts, megamitochondria (MGs), and nanotunnels] crista dynamics. This review explores significance alterations morphology regulators cristae shape. We focus on studies across tissue types also describe new microscopy...
Abstract Various intracellular degradation organelles, including autophagosomes, lysosomes, and endosomes, work in tandem to perform autophagy, which is crucial for cellular homeostasis. Altered autophagy contributes the pathophysiology of various diseases, cancers metabolic diseases. This paper aims describe an approach reproducibly identify distinguish subcellular structures involved macroautophagy. Methods are provided that help avoid common pitfalls. How between lipid droplets,...
Despite clinical and scientific advancements, heart failure is the major cause of morbidity mortality worldwide. Both mitochondrial dysfunction inflammation contribute to development progression failure. Although crucial reparative healing following acute cardiomyocyte injury, chronic damages heart, impairs function, decreases cardiac output. Mitochondria, which comprise one third volume, may prove a potential therapeutic target for Known primarily energy production, mitochondria are also...
Binge eating afflicts approximately 5% of US adults, though effective treatments are limited. Here, we showed that estrogen replacement substantially suppresses binge-like behavior in ovariectomized female mice. Estrogen-dependent inhibition was blocked mice specifically lacking receptor-α (ERα) serotonin (5-HT) neurons the dorsal raphe nuclei (DRN). Administration a recently developed glucagon-like peptide-1-estrogen (GLP-1-estrogen) conjugate designed to deliver GLP1 receptor-enhanced...
BackgroundNeural networks that regulate binge eating remain to be identified, and effective treatments for are limited.MethodsWe combined neuroanatomic, pharmacologic, electrophysiological, Cre-lox, chemogenetic approaches investigate the functions of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2C receptor (5-HT2CR) expressed by dopamine (DA) neurons in regulation binge-like behavior mice.ResultsWe showed 5-HT stimulates DA neural activity through a 5-HT2CR-mediated mechanism, activation this midbrain...
Estrogen receptor–α (ERα) activity in the brain prevents obesity both males and females. However, ERα-expressing neural populations that regulate body weight remain to be fully elucidated. Here we showed single-minded–1 (SIM1) neurons medial amygdala (MeA) express abundant levels of ERα. Specific deletion gene encoding ERα (Esr1) from SIM1 neurons, which are mostly within MeA, caused hypoactivity male female mice fed with regular chow, increased susceptibility diet-induced (DIO) but not...
Mentoring is a developmental experience intended to increase the willingness learn and establish credibility while building positive relationships through networking. In this commentary, we focus on intentional mentoring for underrepresented mentees, including individuals that belong minority racial, ethnic gender identity groups in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Medicine (STEMM) fields. Intentional superpower action necessary developing harmony comprehending purpose value of...
Mitochondria respond to metabolic demands of the cell and incremental damage, in part, through dynamic structural changes that include fission (fragmentation), fusion (merging distinct mitochondria), autophagic degradation (mitophagy), biogenic interactions with endoplasmic reticulum (ER). High resolution study mitochondrial functional relationships requires rapid preservation specimens reduce technical artifacts coupled quantitative assessment architecture. A practical approach for...
The fluorescence viewing of mitochondria is commonly performed by MitoTracker, a lipophilic cationic dye that taken up the mitochondria. In this forum, we highlight several issues may occur with including staining other organelles. Our aim to offer alternative dyes and discuss their advantages disadvantages. We also options for software alternatives MitoTracker expedite future experimental design.
This article shows how mitochondria in murine cardiac changes, importantly elucidating age-related changes. It also is the first to show that MICOS complex may play a role outer membrane mitochondrial structure.
Abstract During aging, muscle gradually undergoes sarcopenia, the loss of function associated with mass, strength, endurance, and oxidative capacity. However, 3D structural alterations mitochondria aging in skeletal cardiac tissues are not well described. Although mitochondrial is decreased capacity, genes responsible for morphological changes during poorly characterized. We measured morphology aged murine gastrocnemius, soleus, using serial block‐face scanning electron microscopy...
Abstract Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites (MERCs) are protein‐ lipid‐enriched hubs that mediate interorganellar communication by contributing to the dynamic transfer of Ca 2+ , lipid, other metabolites between these organelles. Defective MERCs associated with cellular oxidative stress, neurodegenerative disease, cardiac skeletal muscle pathology via mechanisms poorly understood. We previously demonstrated muscle‐specific knockdown (KD) mitochondrial fusion mediator...
Abstract Sexual dimorphism exists in energy balance, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we show that female mice have more pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus than males, and POMC display higher neural activities, compared to male counterparts. Strikingly, deletion transcription factor, TAp63, confers “male-like” diet-induced obesity (DIO) associated with decreased activities; same does not affect mice. Our results indicate TAp63 contributes...
Abstract Hypothalamic neurons expressing the anorectic peptide Pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc) regulate food intake and body weight. Here, we show that Steroid Receptor Coactivator-1 (SRC-1) interacts with a target of leptin receptor activation, phosphorylated STAT3, to potentiate Pomc transcription. Deletion SRC-1 in mice attenuates their depolarization by leptin, decreases expression increases leading high-fat diet-induced obesity. In humans, fifteen rare heterozygous variants found severely...
Maintenance of skeletal muscle is beneficial in obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Mechanical stimulation can regulate differentiation, growth metabolism; however, the molecular mechanosensor remains unknown. Here, we show that SWELL1 ( Lrrc8a ) functionally encodes a swell-activated anion channel regulates PI3K-AKT, ERK1/2, mTOR signaling, myoblast fusion, cellular oxygen consumption, glycolysis cells. LRRC8A over-expression KO myotubes boosts PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling to supra-normal levels fully...