Manuscript published in Nature Communications
Gloria Borgstahl, PhD, professor with the UNMC Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, published the manuscript “Revealing the atomic and electronic mechanism of human manganese superoxide dismutase product inhibition” in the journal Nature Communications in July. The complex experiments were performed by a team of researchers in her group at UNMC and at two national laboratories, Oak Ridge National Lab and Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
“The paper is about understanding how the manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) enzyme is product-inhibited by peroxide, or H2O2,” said Dr. Borgstahl, professor in the Eppley Institute. “This enzyme, MnSOD, is in mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell.”
Genetic aberrations of MnSOD are associated with several cancer types, with breast and prostate cancers being the most frequent. In addition, polymorphisms of MnSOD are a predictor for deficient cardiovascular function.
Peroxide (H2O2) generated from MnSOD, can stimulate apoptotic (cell death) signaling pathways and support proteins reaching their appropriate destinations in the body. In addition, peroxide also promotes mitochondrial biogenesis, and inactivates tumor suppressor phosphatase and tension homolog (PTEN), which inhibits tumor growth.
“I commend Dr. Borgstahl and her lab for their work in this area, and congratulate them on the acceptance and publication of the manuscript in Nature Communications, a very prestigious, peer-reviewed journal,” said Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Eppley Institute and the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
-Chris Whitted, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute
UNMC doctors take new Nebraska Medical Association roles
Two UNMC College of Medicine faculty members have been named to new roles at the Nebraska Medical Association.
Jordan Warchol, MD, assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine, and Kaitlyn Brittan, MD, assistant professor in the UNMC Division of Rheumatology, both have been involved in the NMA since they were UNMC medical students.
Dr. Warchol is the chair of the association’s legislative and advocacy committee and chair of its delegates to the American Medical Association, having been a delegate to the AMA for five years. Dr. Brittan is the UNMC College of Medicine dean’s representative to the NMA board.
-John Keenan, UNMC strategic communications
College of Pharmacy is host site for pharmacy district annual meeting
The UNMC College of Pharmacy recently served as host site for the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy-National Association of Boards of Pharmacy District 5 annual meeting.
The meeting, which brought together colleges and boards of pharmacy from five states and two Canadian provinces, saw attendees address “professional issues affecting today’s pharmacy practice, and also educational matters influencing tomorrow’s pharmacists,” according to NABP’s website.
Activities included a presentation on a proposed pharmacy-law exam, by Al Carter, PharmD, executive director of the NABP; and a panel on enrollment and pharmacy workforce, led by Don Klepser, PhD, senior associate dean for academic affairs and professor of pharmacy practice and science.
The Nebraska Board of Pharmacy served as official host of the district meeting, and the Creighton School of Pharmacy and Health Professions was co-AACP host, with UNMC.