 |
D.D.S. (1978)
Case Western Reserve University
Ph.D. (1987)
University of Rochester
|
James
E. Melvin,
D.D.S., Ph.D.
Director,
Center for Oral Biology;
Professor of Pharmacology & Physiology in the Center for Oral Biology
Primary Appointment:
Pharmacology & Physiology
Center Affiliation :
Center for Oral Biology
GEBS
Cluster Affiliations:
CMM- Cellular and
Molecular Basis of Medicine
Click
Here-
cDNA Chip
Click
Here- Lab Page (members only)
|
| Research:
Mechanism and Regulation of
Fluid and Electrolyte Secretion |
Contact
Information:
E-Mail: James_Melvin@urmc.rochester.edu |
University of Rochester
School of Medicine and Dentistry
601 Elmwood Ave, Box 611
Rochester, New York 14642
|
KMRB G-9632
Phone: (585)275-9216
Fax: (585) 276-0190 |
|
Research
Overview
|
It
is estimated that up to 20% of Americans suffer from xerostomia,
(dry mouth). Multiple factors are associated
with this disease, including defects in the genes that encode
for water and ion transport proteins.
The focus of my laboratory is to determine the molecular identity
of the transport proteins that regulate fluid secretion. We
are using an interdisciplinary approach to provide information
about the structure and the physiological roles of these transport
proteins. Insight gained from these studies will provide critical
information for developing rationales for preventing and/or
treating exocrine gland dysfunction.
Specifically, we have four major NIH-funded projects:
(1) Salivary gland secretory cells express at least five distinct
chloride channels including cAMP-activated, hyperpolarization-dependent,
ATP-activated, volume-sensitive, and calcium-dependent channels.
The former 2 channels are encoded by the Cftr and Clcn2
genes, respectively; whereas, the molecular identities of the
latter 3 channels are unknown. Molecular biology, gene knockout,
and electrophysiological technologies are being used to characterize
these channel proteins;
(2) Multiple sodium/proton exchangers (NHE1-4) are expressed
in salivary gland cells. These exchangers regulate acinar cell
fluid secretion and NaCl reabsorption in the ducts. We are characterizing
clones of these proteins to examine structure-function relations,
and are determining the functional consequences of gene ablation
in mice;
(3) The role of the AQP5 water channel (aquaporin 5) in salivary
secretion is being investigated using a combination of cell
biology, physiological and genomic approaches to analyze a mouse
in which Aqp5 has been ablated by gene targeting; and
(4) The functional consequence of potassium channel gene disruption
on salivary gland function is being assessed.
A second component of this study is to characterize the ion
transport proteins expressed in human salivary gland acinar
cells. The results of these studies will be correlated with
findings from studies of humans suffering from dry mouth disease
in an attempt to develop new treatments for these individuals.
|
|
Publications
|
Click
 to
see publications by Dr. Melvin indexed in the National Library
of Medicine's PubMed database.
|
|
