Metabolic disruptions and muscle dysfunction
We are identifying the mechanisms by which metabolic disruptions evident in obesity, diabetes, and aging impact muscle function and strength. We use basic and translational approaches to understand how cells orchestrate stress responses and control metabolic pathways in physiologic and pathophysiologic contexts and how these responses are integrated.
Further Reading
Site-1 protease inhibits mitochondrial respiration by controlling the TGF-β target gene Mss51.
Mousa MG, Vuppaladhadiam L, Kelly MO, Pietka T, Ek S, Shen KC, Meyer GA, Finck BN, Brookheart RT. Cell Rep. 2023 Mar 31;42(4):112336. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112336. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37002920
A mutation in Site-1 Protease is associated with a complex phenotype that includes episodic hyperCKemia and focal myoedema. Scweitzer, GG. et al. PMID: 31070020
Obesity and women’s health
We are investigating how obesity and associated metabolic disorders negatively impact women’s health from the vantage point of cellular stress and altered lipid metabolism.
Further Reading
Association between obesity and bacterial vaginosis as assessed by Nugent score. Brookheart, RT. et al. PMID 30707966
High-sucrose-induced maternal obesity disrupts ovarian function and decreases fertility in Drosophila melanogaster. Brookheart, RT. et al. PMID 28344128
Drosophila melanogaster: An emerging model of transgenerational effects of maternal obesity. Brookheart, RT. et al. PMID 26687062
Modeling dietary influences on offspring metabolic programming in Drosophila melanogaster. Brookheart, RT. et al. PMID 27450801