| Publications :: | Assistant
Professor of Pediatrics Division of Pediatric Nephrology 
Dr. Delos Santos studies G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signal
transduction, specifically the signaling events associated with the
beta 1-adrenergic GPCR. This receptor is important to the areas of
hypertension, salt and water balance, as well as heart failure. Dr.
Delos Santos is investigating a newly discovered structural feature
of the receptor known as the C-IV domain. Once thought to exist as
a linear structure, through computer modeling studies (modeled after
rhodopsin, a related GPCR), it is now thought to assume a helical
(spiral) structure. His study methods are based in site-directed mutagenesis,
a means to change key amino acid ‘building blocks’ of the
receptor, to determine their importance in downstream signaling events
observed through biochemical, pharmacological, and microscopy techniques.
The results of these studies will lead to more effective therapies
for hypertension, renal disease and heart failure. |
Delos Santos NM and Wyatt RJ. Pediatric IgA nephropathies: clinical aspects and therapeutic approaches. Semin Nephrol 2004 May;24(3):269-286. Review Lau KK, Gaber LW, Delos Santos NM, Wyatt RJ. C1q nephropathy: features at presentation and outcome.” Pediatr Nephrol 2005; 20(6):744-749. Lau KK, Delos Santos NM. Post-infectious acute glomerulonephritis with predominant mesangial IgA. Clin Exp Nephrol 2005; 9(3):263 Lau KK, Delos Santos NM. Pediatric C1q nephropathy and incidental proteinuria. Pediatr Nephrol 2006; 21(6):883 Delos Santos NM, Gardner LA, White SW, Bahouth SW. Characterization of the residues in helix eight of the human beta-1 adrenergic receptor that are involved in coupling the receptor to G proteins. J Biol Chem 2006; 281(18):12896-12907 Zeitoun O, Delos Santos NM, Gardner LA, White SW, Bahouth SW. Mutagenesis within helix six of the human beta-1 adrenergic receptor identifies lysine 324 as a residue involved in imparting the high-affinity binding state of agonists. Mol Pharmacol 2006; 70:838-850. Hastings MC, Delos Santos NM, Wyatt RJ. Renal survival in pediatric patients with IgA nephropathy. Pediatr Nephrol 2007; 22(2):317-318. Epub 2006 Sep 21. Sheth P, Delos Santos NM, LaRusso N, Rao RK. LPS disrupts tight junctions in cholangiocyte monolayers by an Src-kinase dependent mechanism. Am J Physiol, in press |