Alex M. Dopico, M. D., Ph.D.

Alex M. Dopico, M. D., Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor


Department of Pharmacology


The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
874 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38163
Tel: (901) 448-3822 (office)
448-1695 (lab)
Fax: (508) 448-7206
Lab: 201 Crowe Research Building
Email: Alex M. Dopico



Education

  • Ph.D. Institution: University of Buenos Aires (UBA)
  • Postdoctoral: University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), Department of Physiology; University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), Department of Pharmacology

Links

Pharmacology - Alex M. Dopico

Research Interests

The laboratory is interested in determining the molecular mechanism of the action of alcohol and other small amphiphiles on ion channel function, and its modulation by membrane lipids. We explore drug action on the function of channels in freshly isolated cells, following heterologous expression of channel proteins cloned from brain and cerebrovascular vessels, and/or incorporating ion channels into artificial lipid bilayers, where lipid composition can be controlled. Electrophysiological studies of mutagenized channel proteins allow us to probe selective regions of the channel as specific recognition sites for drug action.

Representative Publications

  • Bukiya AN, McMillan JE, Fedinec AL, Patil SA, Miller DD, Leffler CW, Parrill AL, Dopico AM. Cerebrovascular Dilation via Selective Targeting of the Cholane Steroid-Recognition Site in the BK Channel β1-Subunit by a Novel Nonsteroidal Agent. Mol Pharmacol. 2013 May;83(5):1030-44. doi: 10.1124/mol.112.083519. Epub 2013 Mar 1. PubMed PMID: 23455312; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3629834.
  • Liu J, Bukiya AN, Kuntamallappanavar G, Singh AK, Dopico AM. Distinct sensitivity of slo1 channel proteins to ethanol. Mol Pharmacol. 2013 Jan;83(1):235-44. doi: 10.1124/mol.112.081240. Epub 2012 Oct 23. PubMed PMID: 23093494; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3533469.
  • Bukiya AN, Patil SA, Li W, Miller DD, Dopico AM. Calcium- and voltage-gated potassium (BK) channel activators in the 5β-cholanic acid-3α-ol analogue series with modifications in the lateral chain. ChemMedChem. 2012 Oct;7(10):1784-92. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.201200290. Epub 2012 Sep 4. PubMed PMID: 22945504.
  • Dopico AM, Bukiya AN, Singh AK. Large conductance, calcium- and voltage-gated potassium (BK) channels: regulation by cholesterol. Pharmacol Ther. 2012 Aug;135(2):133-50. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.05.002. Epub 2012 May 11. Review. PubMed PMID: 22584144; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3383457.
  • Singh AK, McMillan J, Bukiya AN, Burton B, Parrill AL, Dopico AM. Multiple cholesterol recognition/interaction amino acid consensus (CRAC) motifs in cytosolic C tail of Slo1 subunit determine cholesterol sensitivity of Ca2+- and voltage-gated K+ (BK) channels. J Biol Chem. 2012 Jun 8;287(24):20509-21. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.356261. Epub 2012 Apr 3. PubMed PMID: 22474334; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3370236.
  • Bukiya AN, Singh AK, Parrill AL, Dopico AM. The steroid interaction site in transmembrane domain 2 of the large conductance, voltage- and calcium-gated potassium (BK) channel accessory β1 subunit. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Dec 13;108(50):20207-12. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1112901108. Epub 2011 Nov 28. PubMed PMID: 22123969; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3250185.

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