Khatuna Gagnidze, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics
E-mail: khatuna.gagnidze@mssm.edu
Tel: (212) 241-6545

Training and Education

Ph.D. (2007) Mount Sinai School of Biological Sciences

M.S. (1996) Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia

B.S. Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia

Current Research

Endothelin-converting enzyme-2 (ECE-2) is a zinc metallopeptidase that catalyzes the cleavage of peptide bond on the amino-terminus of aromatic and aliphatic residues, however to date no endogenous substrates of this peptidase have been identified. Restricted neuroendocrine distribution and acidic pH optimum of ECE-2 leads us to believe that it may be involved in the neuropeptide processing/degradation along the secretory pathway. By using ECE-2 knockout mouse as a model system and employing multidisciplinary approach such as behavioral characterization, quantitative peptidomics, and structural and biochemical analysis we are trying to identify endogenous substrates of ECE-2 and delineate its physiological functions.

Publications

Zhu C, Gagnidze K, Gemberling JH, Plevy SE. Characterization of an activation protein-1-binding site in the murine interleukin-12 p40 promoter. Demonstration of novel functional elements by a reductionist approach. J Biol Chem. 2001 May 25; 276(21): 18519-28.

Zhu C, Rao K, Xiong H, Gagnidze K, Li F, Horvath C, Plevy SE. Activation of the murine interleukin-12 p40 promoter by functional interactions between NFAT and ICSBP. J Biol Chem. 2003 Oct 10;278(41):39372-82.

Breit A, Gagnidze K, Devi LA, Lagacé M, Bouvier M. Simultaneous activation of the delta opioid receptor (deltaOR)/sensory neuron-specific receptor-4 (SNSR-4) hetero-oligomer by the mixed bivalent agonist bovine adrenal medulla peptide 22 activates SNSR-4 but inhibits deltaOR signaling. Mol Pharmacol. 2006 Aug;70(2):686-96.

Rodriguiz RM, Gadnidze K, Ragnauth A, Dorr N, Yanagisawa M, Wetsel WC, Devi LA. Animals lacking endothelin-converting enzyme-2 are deficient in learning and memory. Genes Brain Behav. 2007 Nov.

Presentations

K. Gagnidze, G. Pollonini, C.M. Alberini. MuSK is expressed and co-localized with agrin in hippocampal neurons. Abstract. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA, 2003.

D. Platano, K. Gagnidze, G. Pollonini, C.M. Alberini. Dendritic expression of C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ. Abstract. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA, 2003.

K. Gagnidze, O. Tkalych,, LD Fricker. and LA Devi. Studies To Characterize Non-Classical Processing Of Neuropeptides: Quantitative Peptidomic Analysis Of Peptides From Animals Lacking Endothelin-Convering Enzyme-2. Abstract. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, 2007.