Faculty

Mary Lou Vallano, Ph.D. Professor, Neuroscience and Physiology Professor, Physiology Program 3234 Weiskotten Hall Upstate Medical University 750 East Adams Street Syracuse, NY 13210 (315) 464-7969

Education and Clinical Training

Research Program and Department Affiliations

Research Interests

Research Abstract

Neuronal survival and development.

Modification of synaptic neurotransmission at glutamatergic synapses and activation of Ca²⁺-dependent second messenger systems contribute to the processes of learning and memory, neuronal survival and differentiation. In addition, these systems play important roles in the neuronal dysfunction that is observed following stroke and ischemia, focal epilepsies and Alzheimer’s disease. Our research program is focused on analysis of the expression and functional responsiveness of distinct excitatory amino acid receptors (NMDA subtypes), modulation of responses by Ca⁺²-dependent protein kinases, and examination of the roles of these receptors and kinases in neuronal survival and differentiation. Dissociated neuronal cultures and knockout mice are used as model systems.

Selected References:

Bui C. J., McGann A. C., Middleton F. A., Beaman-Hall C. M. and Vallano M. L. Transcriptional profiling of depolarization-dependent alterations in primary cultures of developing granule neurons. Brain Res. 1119: 13-25, 2006.

Gerber, A. and Vallano, M. L. Structural properties of the NMDA receptor and the design of neuroprotective therapies. Mini-Rev. Med. Chem. 6:109-120, 2006.

Vallano, M. L., Beaman-Hall, C. M., Bui, C. J. and Middleton F. A.. Depolarization and Ca2+ downregulate CB1 receptors and CB1-mediated signaling in cerebellar granule neurons. Neuropharmacol. 50:651-660, 2006.

Monaco E. A. III and Vallano M. L. Roscovitine triggers excitotoxicity in cultured granule neurons by enhancing glutamate release. Mol. Pharmacol. 68: 1331-1342, 2005.

Tremper-Wells, B. and Vallano, M. L. Nuclear calpain regulates Ca2+-dependent signaling via proteolysis of nuclear CaMKIV in neurons. J. Biol. Chem. 280: 2165-2175, 2005.

Monaco, E. A. III and Vallano, M. L. Role of protein kinases in neurodegenerative disease: cyclin-dependent kinases in Alzheimer's disease. Frontiers in Biosciences 10: 143-159, 2005.

Tremper-Wells, B. and Vallano, M. L. Nuclear calpain regulates Ca2+-dependent signaling via proteolysis of nuclear CaMKIV in cultured neurons. J. Biol. Chem. 280:2165-2175, 2005.

Monaco, E. A. III and Vallano, M. L. Role of protein kinases in neurodegenerative disease: cyclin-dependent kinases in Alzheimers disease. Front. BioSci. 10:143-159, 2005.

Choi, J. Y., C.M. Beaman-Hall, C. M. and Vallano, M. L. Granule neurons in cerebellum express distinct splice variants of the inositol trisphosphate receptor that are modulated by calcium. Amer. J. Physiol. Cell 287:C971-C980, 2004.

Monaco, E. A. III, Beaman-Hall, C. M., Mathur, A. and Vallano, M. L. Roscovitine, olomoucine, purvalanol: inducers of apoptosis in maturing granule neurons. Biochem. Pharmacol. 67:1947-1964, 2004.

Publications - link to PubMed

Additional Information

This profile was last updated on 09/29/2008

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