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Lakshmi Pulakat

PhD, M.Phil
Professor of Medicine/NEP/Internal Medicine

MU Diabetes & Cardiovascular Center
One Hospital Drive
Phone: (573) 814-6000 (Ext. 53676)
E-mail: pulakatl@health.missouri.edu
Vita (PDF)

Lakshmi Pulakat


Research Focus

Genomics and Proteomics of Angiotensin II-Induced Insulin Resistance inOver-nutrition and Hypertension: Diabetes and metabolic syndrome drive the epidemic of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) causing a severe strain on our health care system. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a vasoconstrictive, pro-growth and -inflammatory hormone that promotes both insulin resistance and CVD by activation of the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R). Clinical trials indicate therapies targeting Ang II biosynthesis and/or AT1R blockade (ARBs) are not as efficacious as expected, especially in patients with diabetes. A less investigated component of Ang II-signaling is the Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R) that has anti-inflammatory properties and exerts antagonistic effects on AT1R signaling. Goal of this research is to unravel novel signaling pathways activated by the AT2R to regulate insulin resistance in conditions of over-nutrition and hypertension. We utilize rodent models for metabolic syndrome and ventricular myocyte-specific AT2R over-expression (AT2R TG mouse), primary culturing, transcription profiling (mRNA and miRNA), analysis of post-translational modifications, and ShRNA- and proteomic- approaches to determine how AT2R mediated signaling cross-talk with signaling activated by the nutrient sensors and other components of Renin-Angiotensin System.

Genetic Analysis of the Differential Effects of NifM, a PPIase, on its Substrate: Unregulated expression of Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIases) underlies pathological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, cancer and microbial infections. Long-term goal of our research is to develop innovative approaches to regulate abnormal PPIase-substrate interactions that lead to the development of pathological conditions. Since the effects of PPIases are mediated through their substrate proteins, effective therapeutic intervention lies in clear understanding of the mechanistic of substrate-PPIase interactions. The objective of the NSF-supported grant is to identify the regions of substrates that participate in the PPIase-mediated effect on their functionality. Our system utilizes two such substrate proteins, bacterial protein NifH and chloroplast protein ChlL, and a bacterial PPIase enzyme. We employ molecular modeling, mutageneis, biochemistry, chimeric proteins and proteomic tools to identify the regions of substrates that interact with the PPIases.