Andrew O. Martinez, Ph.D.
Professor of Genetics
Office: SCB 3.02.18
Phone: (210) 458-4184
Andrew.Martinez@utsa.edu
Ph.D. University of Arizona, 1974
Research Interests
Research interests in our laboratory center on cellular, genetic and molecular mechanisms of aging and cancer.
Our experimental systems include cultured mammalian cells as well as stem cells, and transgenic mice. Two NIH-funded research projects in our laboratory concern the role of APOE-2, -3, -4 and APPSWED human transgenes in the development of Alzheimer's Disease (AD)-like pathology in transgenic mice. The cause of AD appears to be very complex. Many hypotheses of AD have been established, but the mechanisms of AD remain unclear. The beta-amyloid (ƒÑƒÒ) cascade theory is a central hypothesis of AD. It states ƒÑƒÒ production and accumulation is an early and essential step in the pathogenesis of AD. Accumulated data also suggest that ƒÑƒÒ is neurotoxic, causing neurodegeneration. Almost all current animal models of AD express a mutant form of human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP). Transgenic mice expressing a mutated form of hAPP, hAPPSWED, deposit ƒÑƒÒ and form plaques similar to AD. There are three common isomers of apolipoprotein E in human population, apolipoprotein E2, E3, and E4. In clinical studies, apolipoprotein E4 (apo E4) has been shown to be a risk factor for developing AD while there is some evidence that apo E2 is associated with a beneficial effect. The goal of our research is to compare the influence of APO E4, APO E3 and APO E2 on ƒÑƒÒ deposition and plaque formation in hAPPSWED transgenic mice and to correlate these events with the impairment of learning and memory, microglia activation and alteration of gene expression.
Recent Publications
Gonzalez L, Bustamante JJ, Barea-Rodriguez EJ, Martinez AO, Haro LS. 2-D native-PAGE/SDS-PAGE visualization of an oligomer's subunits: application to the analysis of IgG. Electrophoresis. 2006 May;27(10):2016-23.
Bustamante JJ, Garcia M, Gonzalez L, Garcia J, Flores R, Aguilar RM, Trevino A, Benavides L, Martinez AO, Haro LS. Separation of proteins with a molecular mass difference of 2 kDa utilizing preparative double-inverted gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions: application to the isolation of 24 kDa human growth hormone. Electrophoresis. 2005 Dec;26(23):4389-95.
Grigorian AL, Bustamante JJ, Hernandez P, Martinez AO, Haro LS. Extraordinarily stable disulfide-linked homodimer of human growth hormone. Protein Sci. 2005 Apr;14(4):902-13.