Michael E. Adams
Professor of Entomology and Neuroscience
|
Signal Transduction
Ph.D., University of California, Riverside, 1978
VOICE: 951-827-4746 |
My research is concerned with characterization of neuronal signaling molecules and the generation of behavior. The epitracheal endocrine system of insects releases ecdysis-triggering hormones (ETH), which regulate sequential behaviors involved in shedding of the cuticle at each moult. The gene encoding ETH and related peptides is under the control of steroid hormones. Insect ecdysis thus provides an excellent paradigm for examining the relationships between gene expression, development, and centrally patterned animal behaviors.
Another research emphasis of our laboratory is the analysis of mechanisms by which paralytic venom toxins disrupt synaptic transmission. Spider and scorpion venoms are cocktails of toxins which immobilize prey through specific actions on ion channels in nerve membranes. The ability of many toxins to discriminate between different ion channel subtypes makes them valuable as pharmacological probes for functional analysis. Current research efforts include the isolation and identification of novel toxins and analysis of their structure-activity relationships by site-directed mutagenesis and patch clamp electrophysiology.
Applications of specific toxin-receptor interactions are being found in both medicine and agriculture. Certain highly selective toxins can have therapeutic actions with minimal side effects. Specific ion channel modification by chemical agents such as toxins or drug mimics is emerging as a strategy for treatment of stroke, convulsive syndromes and chronic pain. Likewise, ion channel-specific toxins are finding applications in agricultural pest control strategies. Many toxins are shown to specifically target insect ion channels. Genes for these toxins, when genetically engineered into insect-specific pathogens, constitute novel biological insecticides.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Yan, L. and Adams, M.E. Lycotoxins, antimicrobial peptides from venom of the wolf spider Lycosa carolinensis. J Biol Chem 273(4):2059-2066 (1998).
Kingan, T.G., Gray, W., Zitnan, D. and Adams, M.E. Regulation of ecdysis-triggering hormone release by eclosion hormone. J. Exp. Biol. 200:3245-3256 (1997).
Adams, M.E. and Zitnan, D. Identification of ecdysis-triggering hormone in the silkworm Bombyx mori. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 230:188-191 (1997).
Zitnan, D., Kingan, T.G., Hermesman, J.L. and Adams M.E. Identification of ecdysis-triggering hormone from an epitracheal endocrine system. Science 271:88-91 (1996).
Adams, M.E. and Swanson, G. Neurotoxins. 2nd Edition. Trends Neurosci. Suppl. 17: S1-37 (1996).
Reily, M.D., Thanabal, V. and Adams, M.E. The solution structure of omega-Aga-IVB, a P-type calcium channel antagonist from venom of the funnel web spider, Agelenopsis aperta. J. Biomol. NMR. 5:122-132 (1995).
Olivera, B.M., Miljanich, G., Ramachandran, J. and Adams, M.E. Calcium channel diversity and neurotransmitter release: The ?-conotoxins and ?-agatoxins. Ann. Rev. Biochem. 63:823-867 (1994).
Adams, M.E. and Olivera, B.M. Neurotoxins: overview of an emerging research technology. Trends Neurosci. 17:151-155. (1994).