Vassilios Papadopoulos, D Pharm, PhD

Professor
Departments of Cell Biology, Pharmacology and Neurosciences
Head, Division of Hormone Research
Georgetown University Medical Center
NE209 Med-Dent Building, Box 571436 
3900 Reservoir Road, NW
Washington, DC. 20057 
Phone: 202 687-8991
Fax: 202 687-7855
papadopv@georgetown.edu

Research Interests

Steroid synthesis and regulation in health and disease

Research Summary

Our research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of steroid biosynthesis in the adrenal, gonads and brain. More specifically, we are interested in the mechanisms mediating the movement of cholesterol, the precursor of all steroids, across membranes in health and disease. It is evident that this research has direct applications in reproduction and development, cancer, stress-related disorders, aging and brain related dysfunction. In addition to understanding the basic mechanisms involved in steroid biosynthesis, we also examine the regulation of this process by hormones, chemicals, natural products and environmental factors.

Representative Publications
  • Li H, Yao Z, Degenhardt B, Teper G, Papadopoulos V (2001) Cholesterol binding at the cholesterol recognition/interaction amino acid consensus (CRAC) of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor and inhibition of steroidogenesis by an HIV TAT-CRAC peptide. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 98:1267-1272.
  • Li H, Degenhardt, Tobin D, Yao, Z., Tasken K, Papadopoulos V (2001) Identification, localization, and function in steroidogenesis of PAP7: A peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor- and protein kinase A (RIa)-associated protein. Molecular Endocrinology, 15:2211-2228.
  • Gazouli M, Yao Z-X, Boujrad N, Corton C, Culty M, Papadopoulos V (2002) Effect of peroxisome proliferators on Leydig cell peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor gene expression, hormone-stimulated cholesterol transport, and steroidogenesis: Role of the peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor alpha. Endocrinology, 143:2571-2583.
  • Hardwick M, Rone J, Barlow K, Haddad B, Papadopoulos V (2002) Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) gene amplification in MDA-231 aggressive breast cancer cells. Cancer Genetics & Cytogenetics, 139:48-51.
  • Yao Z, Papadopoulos V (2002) Function of ß-amyloid in cholesterol homeostasis: a lead to neurotoxicity. FASEB Journal, 16:1677-1679.
  • Hauet T, Han Z, Wang Y, Jayle C, Hameury F, Gibelin H, Goujon JM, Eugene M, Papadopoulos V (2002) Modulation of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor expression levels in ischemia reperfusion injury in a pig kidney graft model. Transplantation, 74:1507-1515.
  • Liu J, Han Z, Sandrini F, Bei T, Matyakhina L, Stratakis CA, Papadopoulos V (2003) Molecular cloning, chromosomal localization of human peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor- and PKA regulatory subunit type 1A (PRKAR1A)-associated protein PAP7 and studies in PRKAR1A mutant cells and tissues. FASEB Journal, in press.
  • Delavoie F, Li H, Hardwick M, Robert J-C, Giatzakis C, Péranzi G, Yao Z-X, Maccario J, Lacapère JJ, Papadopoulos V. (2003) In vivo and in vitro peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor polymerization: functional significance in drug ligand and cholesterol binding. Biochemistry, in press.