My Contact Information

Research Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Ph.D. University of California at Berkeley (1968)

Role of mitochondria in calcium homeostasis, apoptosis and metabolic control.

Studies of the Ca²⁺ transport system of isolated mitochondria: a) Testing models of mitochondrial divalent cation transport, b) Measuring Ca²⁺ transport into mitochondria under physiological conditions, in particular with respect to physiological levels and pulses of free cytosolic calcium, c) Measuring properties of newly discovered additional calcium uptake mechanism (RAM) in mitochondria of heart, brain and liver, in particular, effects of pulse height, frequency and the concentration of such cellular components as spermine and Mg²⁺, and d) Measuring properties of newly discovered calcium rapid efflux mechanism.

Development of pH and membrane potential measurements using fluorescence spectroscopic and microscopic techniques with special attention to their mutual calibration in mitochondria and cells.

Development of free calcium measurements using fluorescence spectroscopic and microscopic techniques with special attention to their mutual calibration in isolated mitochondria and cells. Development of a system to expose isolated mitochondria viewed under a microscope to rapid physiological type pulses of free Ca²⁺

Studies on the role of mitochondria in calcium transport in the cell: a) Do mitochondria regulate cytosolic calcium levels and if so, under what conditions, b) Are mitochondria involved in hormone response at the cellular level, and if so, what is their role, c) What are the roles of the various mechanisms.

Effects of growth factors on chondrocytes with emphasis on chondrocyte cytosolic [Ca²⁺] and hypertrophy. How does hypertrophy occur and what is the role of PTHrp?

How is cell metabolism controlled? Can mitochondria respond to physiological pulses of Ca²⁺ and how is the production of mitochondrial ATP controlled in most cell types?

What is the role of mitochondria in apoptosis? The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria causes apoptosis. What causes this release? Is induction of the permeability transition pore always responsible for the release of cytochrome c or is there another pathway for such release. In particular, can activation of the K uniporter or inhibition of the K/H antiporter cause apoptosis and is this a possible normal mechanism of apoptosis?

Recent Publications

Gunter TE, Gavin CE, Aschner M, Gunter KK (2006) Speciation of manganese in cells and mitochondria: a search for the proximal cause of manganese neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology, 27:765-76

Gunter KK, Aschner M, Miller LM, Eliseev R, Salter J, Anderson K, Gunter TE (2006) Determining the oxidation states of manganese in NT2 cells and cultured astrocytes. Neurobiol Aging, 27:1816-26

Gunter KK, Aschner M, Miller LM, Eliseev R, Salter J, Anderson K, Hammond S, Gunter TE (2005) Determining the oxidation states of manganese in PC12 and nerve growth factor-induced PC12 cells. Free Radic Biol Med, 39:164-81

Gunter TE, Yule DI, Gunter KK, Eliseev RA, Salter JD (2004) Calcium and mitochondria. FEBS Lett, 567:96-102

Gunter TE, Miller LM, Gavin CE, Eliseev R, Salter J, Buntinas L, Alexandrov A, Hammond S, Gunter KK (2004) Determination of the oxidation states of manganese in brain, liver, and heart mitochondria. J Neurochem, 88:266-80

Eliseev RA, Gunter KK, Gunter TE (2003) Bcl-2 prevents abnormal mitochondrial proliferation during etoposide-induced apoptosis. Exp Cell Res, 289:275-81

Eliseev RA, Salter JD, Gunter KK, Gunter TE (2003) Bcl-2 and tBid proteins counter-regulate mitochondrial potassium transport. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1604:1-5

Zuscik MJ, D'Souza M, Gunter KK, Gunter TE, O'Keefe RJ, Schwarz EM, Puzas JE, Rosier RN (2002) Growth plate chondrocyte maturation is regulated by Basal intracellular calcium. Exp Cell Res, 276:310-9

Eliseev RA, Gunter KK, Gunter TE (2001) Bcl-2 sensitive mitochondrial potassium accumulation and swelling in apoptosis. Mitochondrion, 1504:248-61

Buntinas L, Gunter KK, Sparagna GC, Gunter TE (2001) The rapid mode of calcium uptake into heart mitochondria(RaM): Comparison to the RaM in liver mitochondria. Biochem. Biophys. Acta, 1504:248-61

Gunter TE, Gunter KK (2001) Uptake of calcium by mitochondria: Transport and possible function. IUBMB Life, 52:197-204

Pfeiffer DR, Gunter TE, Eliseev R, Broekemeier KM, Gunter KK (2001) Release of Ca2+ from mitochondria via the saturable mechanisms and the permeability transition. IUBMB Life, 52:205-12

Buntinas L, Gunter KK, Sparagna GC, Gunter TE (2001) The rapid mode of calcium uptake into heart mitochondria (RaM): comparison to RaM in liver mitochondria. , 1504:248-61

Lab Affiliation     see Gunter Lab page

Cluster Affiliation    

Contact Information

E-Mail: Karlene_Gunter@urmc.rochester.edu

Karlene K. Gunter
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
601 Elmwood Ave, Box 712
Rochester, New York 14642

Office: Medical Center B-5746
Telephone: (585) 275-3753; Fax: (585) 275-6007