This is a Research Scientist Award (RSA) for Dr. Allyn C. Howlett, whose academic experience includes a B.S. cum laude in Biochemistry from Pennsylvania State University, a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Rutgers University, post-doctoral work with Alfred G. Gilman at the University of Virginia, and 20 years on the faculty at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Dr. Howlett is a tenured Professor in the Department of Biology and Director of the Neuroscience/Drug Abuse Research Program at the Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute at North Carolina Central University. Dr. Howlett's research effort is concentrated on the pharmacological, biochemical and cellular regulation of the CB1 receptor. Her intention is to maintain an active research laboratory in which students, fellows, and visiting scientists can exchange ideas and share expertise. Toward this goal, Dr. Howlett is seeking this RSA in order to allow ample research time to conduct her research, mentor students and fellows, and to maintain research collaborations. The RSA will also foster continued professional development through participation in research meetings and short courses, and communication with other research scientists. Dr. Howlett's research projects have been described by two NIDA-funded R01 grants. """"""""Cannabinoid Receptor Structure-Activity Relationships"""""""" examines the receptor interactions with ligands of various chemical classes (cannabinoid, amincialkylindole, eicosanoid and arylpyrazole) in an effort to define the requirements for high affinity ligand-receptor association and efficacy. This project involves close collaboration with synthetic chemists and computational chemists. """"""""Cannabinoid Receptors in Neuronal Cells and Brain"""""""" addresses the signaling mechanisms by which the CB1 receptor evokes its response through selected G protein subtypes and their ensuing signal transduction pathways [adenylyl cyclase, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and other kinases, Ca2+ mobilization and nitricoxide synthase (NOS) activation]. The project also examines the mechanisms by which the cell regulates signal transduction through the reversible post-translational modifications of palmitoylation and phosphorylation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Scientist Award (K05)
Project #
7K05DA000182-17
Application #
7344973
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Rapaka, Rao
Project Start
1992-08-01
Project End
2007-06-30
Budget Start
2006-10-16
Budget End
2007-06-30
Support Year
17
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$82,620
Indirect Cost
Name
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
937727907
City
Winston-Salem
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27157
Oddi, Sergio; Dainese, Enrico; Sandiford, Simone et al. (2012) Effects of palmitoylation of Cys(415) in helix 8 of the CB(1) cannabinoid receptor on membrane localization and signalling. Br J Pharmacol 165:2635-51
Gerald, Tonya M; Howlett, Allyn C; Ward, Gregg R et al. (2008) Gene expression of opioid and dopamine systems in mouse striatum: effects of CB1 receptors, age and sex. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 198:497-508
Jones, Jenelle D; Carney, Skyla T; Vrana, Kent E et al. (2008) Cannabinoid receptor-mediated translocation of NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase and production of cyclic GMP in neuronal cells. Neuropharmacology 54:23-30
Grace, Christy R R; Cowsik, Sudha M; Shim, Joong-Youn et al. (2007) Unique helical conformation of the fourth cytoplasmic loop of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in a negatively charged environment. J Struct Biol 159:359-68
Ward, Gregg R; Franklin, Steven O; Gerald, Tonya M et al. (2007) Glucocorticoids plus opioids up-regulate genes that influence neuronal function. Cell Mol Neurobiol 27:651-60
McCollum, LaTronya; Howlett, Allyn C; Mukhopadhyay, Somnath (2007) Anandamide-mediated CB1/CB2 cannabinoid receptor--independent nitric oxide production in rabbit aortic endothelial cells. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 321:930-7
Mukhopadhyay, Somnath; Das, Sucharita; Williams, Evelyn A et al. (2006) Lipopolysaccharide and cyclic AMP regulation of CB(2) cannabinoid receptor levels in rat brain and mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages. J Neuroimmunol 181:82-92
Gerald, Tonya M; Ward, Gregg R; Howlett, Allyn C et al. (2006) CB1 knockout mice display significant changes in striatal opioid peptide and D4 dopamine receptor gene expression. Brain Res 1093:20-4
Shim, Joong-Youn; Howlett, Allyn C (2006) WIN55212-2 docking to the CB1 cannabinoid receptor and multiple pathways for conformational induction. J Chem Inf Model 46:1286-300
Howlett, Allyn C (2005) A short guide to the nomenclature of seven-transmembrane spanning receptors for lipid mediators. Life Sci 77:1522-30

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