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Research Description:
Dr. Aizenman's laboratory has observed that oxidants can liberate zinc from metalloprotiens in neurons. Importantly,intracellular zinc release triggers caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death. The caspase-dependent process requires activation of p38 MAPK and an enhancement of voltage-gated potassium currents encoded by Kv2.1 following the exocytotic, SNARE-dependent, membrane insertion of these channels. Intracellular liberation of zinc is a critical mechanism that contributes to neurodegenreative processes in vivo in conditions of oxidative and nitrosative stress, including exposure to certain occupational and environmental neurotoxins.
Education:
B.A. (Biology), Boston University, 1981
Ph.D. (Toxicology), Johns Hopkins University, 1985
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