Gregory W. Aponte
Professor
Research Description
Our laboratory has been characterizing how dietary nutrients (before they are metabolized) can be signals that cause changes in gene regulation and/or the release of bioactive molecules from peripheral tissues and nerves. We discovered specific receptors on sensory neurons that are stimulated by nutrients, hormones, and unique molecules present in lymphatic fluid. We are investigating if these neurons are part of a system whereby dietary molecules (and also molecules from peripheral tissues) can activate local neurons that stimulate tissues like the pancreas, spinal nerves and/or the brain. This system provides a new pathway for the regulation of central nervous system activity, metabolism, and behavior in response to biologically active molecules and nutrients, and expands our concept of the gut-brain axis.
Publications
Heller RS, and Aponte GW. 1995. Intra islet regulation of hormone secretion by glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide. Am J Physiol 269: G1-9.
Lee M, Hadi M, Hallden G, and Aponte GW. 2005. Peptide YY and neuropeptide Y induce expression, reduce adhesion, and enhance migration in small intestinal cells through the regulation of CD63, matrix metalloproteinase-3, and Cdc42 activity. J Biol Chem 280: 125-36.
Choi S, Lee M, Shiu AL, Yo SJ, and Aponte GW. 2007. Identification of a protein hydrolysate responsive G protein coupled receptor in enterocytes. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 292: G98-G112.
Choi S, Lee M, Yo SJ, Shiu AL, Halldén G, and Aponte GW. 2007. GPR93 activation by protein hydrolysate induces CCK transcription and secretion in STC-1 cells. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 292: G1366-1375.
Lee M, Choi S, Shiu AL, Yo SJ, and Aponte GW. 2009. P2Y5 is a G{alpha}i, G{alpha}12/13 G Protein Coupled Receptor Activated by Lysophosphatidic Acid that Reduces Intestinal Cell Adhesion. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 297:641-654.
Poole DP, Lee M, Tso P, Bunnett NW, Yo SJ, Lieu T, Shiu A, Wang JC, Nomura DK, and Aponte GW. 2014. Feeding-dependent activation of enteric cells and sensory neurons by lymphatic fluid: evidence for a neurolymphocrine system. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 306:G686-698.
Mayer F, Gunawan AL, Tso P, Aponte GW. 2020 Glucagon like peptide 1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide stimulate the release of substance P from TRPV1 and TRPA1 expressing sensory nerves. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol Jul 1;319(1):G23-G35.
A key discovery finds nutrient molecules that send message to the brain. Article featured in BREAKTHROUGHS magazine.
Recent Teaching
NST 10S
Gregory W. Aponte
Contact aponte@berkeley.edu