Achla Gupta, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry
E-mail: achla.gupta@mssm.edu
Tel: (212) 241-6545

Training and Education

Ph.D. (1993) Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

M.Phil. (1987) Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

B.Ed. (1984) Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

M.Sc. (1983) Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

Current Research

My research interests include the investigation of G-protein coupled receptor heterodimerization/oligomerization using antibodies as tools. I have generated an antibody against mu-delta heterodimers using subtractive immunization. This antibody recognize mu-delta heterdimers by ELISA in vitro and as well as in vivo. I have also generated selective monoclonal antibodies against the N-terminal region of opioid receptors. We have used N-terminal selective antibodies to investigate the structural changes occurring during opioid receptor activation. Interestingly, antibody recognition was found to be modulated only by agonists and not antagonists in a dose-dependent manner. The antibodies were able to distinguish agonist-mediated conformational changes between wild-type and constitutively active mutant receptors. Based on these results, I have generated conformation-sensitive polyclonal antibodies against a similar region in the N-terminus of other members of the rhodopsin family (cannabinoid and adrenergic receptors). Interestingly, these antibodies were also able to recognize active conformations of the endogenous receptors. These antibodies provide a potential tool for identifying and characterizing new compounds of therapeutic interest.

Publications

Gupta A, Decaillot FM, Devi LA. Targeting opioid receptor heterodimers: strategies for screening and drug development. AAPS J. 2006 Mar 10;8(1):E153-9.

Gomes I, Gupta A, Filipovska J, Szeto HH, Pintar JE and Devi LA. A role for heterodimerization of mu and delta opiate receptors in enhancing morphine analgesia. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA. 2004 Apr 6;101(14):5135-9.

Gomes I, Jordan BA, Gupta A, Rios C, Trapaidze N, and Devi LA. G-protein coupled receptor dimerization: implications in modulating receptor function. J Mol Med. 2001 Jun;79(5-6):226-42.

Gomes I, Jordan BA, Gupta A, Trapaidze N, Nagy V, Devi LA. Heterodimerization of mu and delta opioid receptors: A role in opiate synergy. J Neurosci. 2000 Nov 15;20(22):RC110.

Gomes I, Gupta A, Singh SP,Sharma SK. Monoclonal antibody to the delta opioid receptor acts as an agonist in dual regulation of adenylate cyclase in NG108-15 cells. FEBS Lett. 1999 Jul 30;456(1):126-30.

Goswami S, Gupta A, Sharma SK. Interleukin-6 mediated autocrine growth promotion in human glioblastoma multiforme cell line U87MG. J.Neurochem. 1998 Nov;71:1837-1845.

Gupta A, Hasan M, Chander R, Kapoor NK. Age-related elevation of lipid peroxidation products:Diminution of superoxide dismutase activity in the central nervous system of rats. Gerontology. 1991;37:305-309.

Gupta A, Hasan M. Age-related changes in lipid profiles and lipid peroxidation in the CNS following restraint stress. Indian J Med Res. 1998 Jun;87:624-630.

Presentations

Gupta A, Hua X-Y, Devi LA and Gomes I (2003) Involvement of mitogen activated protein kinases in the potentiation of mu opioid signaling by ketamine. In the 34th meeting of the International Narcotics Research Conference, Perpignan, France, July 6-11.

Gupta A, Gomes I and Devi LA (2002) Opioid receptor selective monoclonal antibodies. In the 33rd meeting of the International Narcotics Research Conference, Asilomar, Pacific Grove, CA, July 9-14.

Gomes I, Filipovska J, Gupta A, Pintar JE and Devi LA (2002) Interactions of mu and delta receptors enhance signaling by opiates. In the 33rd meeting of the International Narcotics Research Conference, Asilomar, Pacific Grove, CA, July 9-14.

Gomes I, Gupta A, Bansinath M and Devi LA (2000) Ketamine potentiates morphine activation of the MAPK pathway. In the 31st meeting of the International Narcotics Research Conference, Seattle, Washington, July 15-20.

Gomes I, Gupta A, Devi LA, Turndorf H and Bansinath M (2000) Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Pathway is Involved in Morphine-Ketamine Interactions. In the ASA Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California, October 14-18.

Invited Lecture

Gupta A (April, 2003) "Opioid receptor dimerization". Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Awards

(1997) "S.S.Parmar Foundation Research Prize" for the best paper presentation at the Symposium on Molecules and behaviour and XV Annual Conference of Indian Academy of Neurosciences held at NIMHNS, Banglore, India, Aug 29 – 31.

(1990) "A.V.Tilak Award" for best paper presentation at the 5th Conference of the Association of Gerontology held at Banglore University, Banglore, India, Oct 29 – 31.

(1989 – 1993) Senior Research Fellow, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.

(1985 – 1988) Junior Research Fellow, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.