William Anderson, Ph.D.
Chair

Marcy Osgood, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Program Director

Jeanne Marquardt
 Department Administrator
925-4095

Sheryl Cohn
Administrative Support
Supervisor
272-5148

Karla Banuelos
Administrative Asst. II
272-3539

Basic Medical Sciences
Rm 249
MSC 08 4670
Ph: 505-272-3333
Fax: 505-272-6587
CHARLOTTE MOBARAK, Ph.D.
 


                          Research Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences: Neurosciences Department, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, August 1999.

B.S., Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, May 1993.

Office: BMSB-259    Lab: BMSB-252, BMSB-263
Phone: 272-8193
email: cmobarak@salud.unm.edu

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Although cancer is classified as a genetic disease, it is truly the result of dysfunctional protein networks. I am interested in functional protein analysis using proteomics for cancer research. Since proteins dictate biological processes and determine cellular fates, cancer is a proteomic disease. Through the use of proteomics, changes in the protein complement of a cell or proteome can be examined as it reflects responses to changing conditions or a specific disease state. When expression of proteins responsible for signal transduction processes in the cell is altered the result is uncontrolled cellular signaling. Through the use of proteomics, the components of key signaling pathways can be determined. In my current research project I am isolating and identifying proteins that control the expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes in prostate cancer cells. These enzymes regulate the expression of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 in cells. 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25VD) is a secosteroid hormone that is a natural product of the enzyme P450c1 in normal prostate cells; however, its synthesis is highly suppressed in prostate cancer cells.

My interests also include the detection of proteins that serve to relay the physiological status of a cell during various phases of a disease. Although this topic has been studied for many decades, in the past this has been done mostly on a one-protein-at-a-time basis. Using proteomic techniques, changes in proteins that are over expressed and shed into body fluids can be examined as unique patterns. These patterns can be reflective and diagnostic of a given disease state. Biomarker pattern proteins can be identified and used to discriminate between tumors of different stages, grades, cell types, and recurrence. Such studies are designed to (1) provide preliminary data as to which pathways are involved in carcinogenesis and (2) identify potential biomarkers that appear to segregate with clinical outcome. I am currently collaborating with Drs. Kim Leslie and Harriet Smith of the UNM Obstetrics and Gynecology department to determine a serum biomarker pattern that is diagnostic of endometrial cancer. Our preliminary pattern has been filed as a patent disclosure for a potential diagnostic test. Our results also factored in the Proteomics core facility at the University of New Mexico being named as the proteomics profiling site for a protocol designed and developed by the Gynecological Oncology Group (GOG). This protocol, GOG 0210 is a molecular staging study of endometrial cancer. I will be a co-PI with Dr. Smith to develop this work into a translational research project as a part Dr. Leslie’s proposed UTERINE SPORE grant application

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Feldman BS, Feldman GM, Mobarak CD, Leslie KK, . Am J Obstet Gynecol. Identification of Proteins within the Nuclear Factor-kappa B Transcriptional Complex Including Estrogen Receptor-a. 196(4):394. e1-11. Jan 2007.

Melendez Karla, Wallen Erik S, Edwards Bruce S, Mobarak Charlotte D, Bear David G, Moseley Pope L. Cell Stress & Chaperones. Heat shock protein 70 and glycoprotein 96 are differentially expressed on the serface of malignant and nonmalignant breast cells. 11, Issue 4. 334-342. Dec 2006

Mobarak CD. Drug Dev. Ind Pharm. Industrial Proteomics, Applications for Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Review. 32(6):. 783. Jan 2006.

Malkoski, S., S.Bredow, C.D. Mobarak. Expression of the Human Cytomegalovirus Promoter is Augmented by a Small Element from the Human Multidrug Resistance-1 Promoter. Submitted.

M.N. Harris, S.W. Burchiel, P.G. Winyard, J.R. Engen, C.D. Mobarak, and G. S. Timmins, Determining the Site of Spin Trapping of the Equine Myoglobin Radical by Combined Use of EPR, Electrophoretic Purification and Mass Spectrometry. Chem Res Toxicol. 2002 Dec 16;15(12):1589-1594.

Mobarak, C.D., R. P. Baughman, S. I. Rennard R. F. Henderson. Characterization of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Proteins in the Development of a Rodent Model of ARDS. Manuscript in Preparation.

Mobarak, C.D., R.F. Henderson. Use of an Exogenous Internal Standard for 2-D Gel Normalization. Manuscript in Preparation.

Melendez, K.F., C.D. Mobarak, D. Bear and P.L. Mosely. Identification of heat shock protein 70 in the plasma membrane in the human breast cell line AU565. Submitted.

O. A. Bizzozero, S. P. Malkoski, C.D. Mobarak, H. A. Bixler and J. Evans. Mass-Spectometric Anaysis of Myelin Proteolipids Reveals New Features of This Family of Palmitolayted Membrane Proteins. J. Neurochem. (2002) 81(3): 636-645.

O.A Bizzozero., S.P Malkoski., C.D. Mobarak., J.E. Evans and G.DeJesus. Structure and Regional Distribution of Low Molecular Weight Myelin Proteolipids. J. Neurochem. (2002) 81(Suppl.1) BP03-09.

Awasthi, S., R. Palmer, M. Castro, C.D. Mobarak and S.W. Ruby. New Roles for the Snp1 and Exo84 Proteins in Yeast Pre-mRNA Splicing. J. Biol. Chem. 276: 31004-31015, 2001.

Anderson, K. D., M. A. Morin, A. Beckel-Mitchener, C. D. Mobarak, R. L. Neve, H. M. Furneaux, R. Burry and N. I. Perrone-Bizzozero. Overexpression of HuD, but Not of Its Truncated Form HuD I+II, Promotes GAP-43 Gene Expression and Neurite Outgrowth in PC12 Cells in the Absence of Nerve Growth Factor. J. Neurochem. 75(3): 1103-1114, 2000.

Mobarak, C. D., K. D. Anderson, M. Morin, A. Beckel-Mitchener, S. L. Rogers, H. Furneaux, P. King and N. I. Perrone-Bizzozero. The RNA-Binding Protein HuD is Required for GAP-43 mRNA Stability, GAP-43 Gene Expression, and PKC-Dependent Neurite Outgrowth in PC12 Cells. Mol. Biol. Cell. 11(9): 3191-3203, 2000.