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Donard
S. Dwyer,
Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Psychiatry
Ph.D., 1980, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Major Research Interests:
Our laboratory is studying the role of energy metabolism in the growth and
survival of neuronal cells. More specifically, we are characterizing the
mechanisms involved in the regulation of glucose transport in neurons. Uptake
of glucose is mediated by a family of glucose transport (GLUT) proteins;
GLUT3 is the major transporter of neuronal cells. We have produced unique
monoclonal antibodies against GLUT3 that will allow us to study any changes
in cell surface expression or phosphorylation of GLUT3 that accompany upregulation
of glucose transport. Certain antipsychotic drugs inhibit glucose uptake
apparently independent of their effects on dopamine receptors. Moreover,
the sensitivity of neuronal cells to the cytostatic effects of ethanol is
determined, in part, by their rate of glucose metabolism.
In addition, our laboratory has a state-of-the-art molecular modeling
capability based on a Silicon Graphics workstation and BIOSYM software.
Computational chemistry approaches are being applied to the problem of
protein folding (and secondary structure prediction) and to the effects
of ethanol on protein structure at the molecular level.
Selected Recent Publications:
Dwyer, D. S.: Assembly of exons from unitary transposable
genetic elements: implications for the evolution of protein-protein interactions.
J. Theor. Biol. 194: 11-27 (1998).
Dwyer, D.S., Liu, Y., and Bradley, R. J.: An ethanol sensitive variant of the PC12 neuronal cell line: sensitivity to alcohol is associated with increased cell adhesion and decreased glucose accumulation. J. Cell. Physiol. 178: 93-101 (1999).
Dwyer, D.S., Pinkofsky, H. B., Liu, Y., and Bradley, R. J.: Antipsychotic drugs affect glucose uptake and the expression of glucose transporters in PC12 cells. Prog. NeuroPsychopharmacol. Psychiat. 23: 69-80 (1999).
Dwyer, D.S.: Molecular simulation of the effects of alcohols on peptide structure. Biopolymers 49: 635-645 (1999).
Contact Info:
Dr. Donard Dwyer
Professor
Department of Psychiatry
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
1501 Kings Highway
Shreveport, LA 71130-3932
318-675-7612
ddwyer@lsuhsc.edu