Andrew F. Russo, Ph.D.

Professor

Director: Biosciences Program
Faculty Member: Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
Faculty Member: Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program
Faculty Member: Genetics Interdisciplinary Program
Faculty Member: Neuroscience Program
Faculty Member: Gene Therapy Center

University of California, Berkeley, 1984

Research Interests

My research interests involve the regulation of neuronal gene expression by changes in the cellular environment. The major project in the lab involves the neuropeptide CGRP and its involvement in migraine. The long-term goal is to develop effective gene therapy and diagnostic strategies for migraine and other neurovascular disorders. We have found that the CGRP gene is auto-induced by CGRP and stimulated by cytokines that act via MAP kinases, which suggests the possibility of positive feedback loops in migraine. We are using viral-mediated gene transfer to regulate CGRP levels and as an imaging tool to measure promoter activity in the nervous system in vivo. In parallel studies we are selectively over-expressing the RAMP1 subunit of the CGRP receptor in mice. One objective is to generate a mouse model for CGRP-mediated disorders, such as migraine. Initial results indicate that the RAMP1 mice have been sensitized to CGRP action in the nervous system, with increased neurogenic inflammation and light aversion and/or anxiety behavior. They also have greatly reduced body fat. In collaboration with Kim Johnson’s lab, we are looking at cytokine control of serotonin and CGRP biosynthesis in the brain. These studies may shed light on the roles of serotonin and CGRP in migraine and other neuropathologies.

Representative References

Saadi, I, Toro, R, Kuburas, A, Semina, E, Murray, JC, Russo, AF (2006) An unusual class of PITX2 mutations in Axenfeld-Reiger syndrome. Birth Defects Res: Clin Mol Teratol 76:175-181.

Bellamy J, Bowen EJ, Russo AF, Durham PL (2006) Nitric oxide regulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide gene expression in rat trigeminal ganglia neurons. Eur J Neurosci 23:2057-2066.

Marquez de Prado B, Russo AF (2006) CGRP receptor antagonists: A new frontier of anti-migraine medications. Drug Discovery Today: Therapeutic Strategies 3:593-597.

Russo, AF (2007) Ramping it up: RAMP1 and the implications for migraine. Pharmacogenomics 8 (7): 687-690.

Recober A, Russo AF (2007) Drug profile: Olcegepant, a non-peptide CGRP1 antagonist for migraine treatment. IDrugs 2007 10(8): 566-574.

Zhang Z, Firm CS, Marquez de Prado B, Russo AF (2007) Sensitization of CGRP receptors by receptor activity-modifying protein-1 in the trigeminal ganglion. J Neurosci 27:2693-2703.