Gender	Male
E-mail	raphael.rozenfeld@mssm.edu
Education and Training	Ph.D., University Paris V
	Pharm.D., University Paris V
	Fellowship, Acadamie Francaise de Medecine
Awards	2007 INRC travel award for a presentation at the "International Narcotic Research Conference", Berlin, Germany
	2007 NIDA travel award and invited presentation at the NIDA
	2005 Thesis Aventis Award
	2005 Award for the best thesis in Molecular Pharmacology University Paris V
	2000 - 2003 MENRT (French Government Scholarship)

Education and Training	Ph.D., University Paris V
	Pharm.D., University Paris V
	Fellowship, Acadamie Francaise de Medecine

We have recently found that endogenous cannabinoid receptors CB1, are constitutively localized in the late endosomal/lysosomal compartment where they interact with the heterotrimeric G protein and mediate signal transduction (Rozenfeld and Devi, FASEB J, 2008).

The localization of CB1 receptors is altered by heterodimerization with other GPCRs. This results in an increased cell surface localization of the cannabinoid receptors. This is summarized in the cartoon.

 

The aims of this project are:

•  To uncover the molecular mechanism leading to the differential localization of CB1 homodimers and CB1-GPCR heterodimers
• To define the pharmacological and signaling properties of the CB1-GPCR heterodimers
• To explore the physiological significance of heterodimerization by examining CB1-mediated analgesia and addictive potential

Rozenfeld R, Devi LA. Regulation of CB1 cannabinoid receptor trafficking by the adaptor protein AP-3. FASEB J 2008 Mar 7;.

Gupta A, Rozenfeld R, Gomes I, Raehal KM, Decaillot FM, Bohn LM, Devi LA. Post-activation mediated changes in opioid receptors detected by N-terminal antibodies. J Biol Chem 2008 Apr 18; 283(16): 10735-10744.

Rozenfeld R, Abul-Husn NS, Gomez I, Devi LA. An emerging role for the delta opioid receptor in the regulation of mu opioid receptor function. Scientific World Journal 2007 Nov 2 7:64-73.

Rozenfeld R, Devi LA. Receptor heterodimerization leads to a switch in signaling: beta-arrestin2-mediated ERK activation by mu-delta opioid receptor heterodimers. FASEB J 2007 Aug; 21(10): 2455-2465.

Moron JA, Abul-Husn NS, Rozenfeld R, Dolios G, Wang R, Devi LA. Morphine administration alters the profile of hippocampal postsynaptic density-associated proteins: a proteomics study focusing on endocytic proteins. Mol Cell Proteomics 2007 Jan; 6(1): 29-42.

Rozenfeld R, Decaillot FM, IJzerman AP, Devi LA. Heterodimers of G protein-coupled receptors as novel and distinct drug targets. Drug Discovery Today: Therapeutic Strategies Winter 2006; 3(4): 437-443.

Pignatari GC, Rozenfeld R, Ferro ES, Oliveira L, Paiva AC, Devi LA. A role for transmembrane domains V and VI in ligand binding and maturation of the angiotensin II AT1 receptor. Biol Chem 2006 Mar; 387(3): 269-276.

Rozenfeld R, Muller L, El Messari S, Llorens-Cortes C. The C-terminal domain of aminopeptidase A is an intramolecular chaperone required for the correct folding, cell surface expression and activity of this monozinc aminopeptidase. J Biol Chem 2004 Oct 8; 279(41): 43285-43295.

Rozenfeld R, Reaux A, Iturrioz X, Fassot C, Fournie-Zaluski MC, David C, Maigret B, Roques BP, Corvol P, Llorens-Cortes C. Aminopeptidase A, generating one of the main effector peptides of the brain renin-angiotensin system, angiotensin III, plays a key role in central control of blood pressure. Proc West Pharmacol Soc 2003; 46: 39-44.

Rozenfeld R, Iturrioz X, Okada M, Maigret B, Llorens-Cortes C. Contribution of molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis to the identification of a new residue, glutamate 215, involved in the exopeptidase specificity of aminopeptidase A. Biochemistry 2003 Dec 23; 42(50): 14785-14793.

Rozenfeld R, Iturrioz X, Maigret B, Llorens-Cortes C. Contribution of molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis to the identification of two structural residues, Arg-220 and Asp-227, in aminopeptidase A. J Biol Chem 2002 Aug 9; 277(32): 29242-29252.

Iturrioz X, Rozenfeld R, Michaud A, Corvol P, Llorens-Cortes C. Study of asparagine 353 in aminopeptidase A: characterization of a novel motif (GXMEN) implicated in exopeptidase specificity of monozinc aminopeptidases. Biochemistry 2001 Dec 4; 40(48): 14440-14448.