Brian A. Perrino

Department: Physiology & Cell Biology
Academic Unit:  School of Medicine
Title:  Associate Professor
Professional degrees (Degree, year, Institution): PhD, 1989, Boston University

Contact Information

Mail Stop: 352
Phone: 775-784-6903
Fax: 775-784-6908
e-mail: bperrino@medicine.nevada.edu

Research Area(s)

Physiology, Cell Biology

Research Interests

We are investigating the molecular changes to Ca2+-dependent intracellular signaling occurring within gut smooth muscle cells as a consequence of inflammation or diabetes.  This approach may lead to improvements in therapies aimed at relieving symptoms and restoring normal gut motility.  Regulation of intracellular Ca2+ signaling by sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ cycling plays a key role in GI smooth muscle contractility.  In cardiac and vascular smooth muscles, many of the signaling pathways involved in the induction of pathological remodeling are linked to SR Ca2+ cycling.  Similarly, emerging evidence implicates dysregulation of intracellular Ca2+ cycling in gut motility disorders.  These recent findings are providing important clues to the biochemical and molecular basis for the functional changes in gut smooth muscles that give rise to digestive tract dysmotility. 

Current Graduate Students

Sadeea Qureshi: MD/PhD Candidate
Bhupal Phetwal: PhD Candidate

Selected Publications

Modulation of murine gastric antrum smooth muscle STOC activity and excitability by phospholamban.
Kim M, Hennig GW, Park K, Han IS, Smith TK, Koh SD, Perrino BA.
J Physiol. 2008 Oct 15;586(Pt 20):4977-91. Epub 2008 Aug 28.
PMID: 18755751 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Regulation of SRF/CArG-dependent gene transcription during chronic partial obstruction of murine small intestine.
Chen J, Chen H, Sanders KM, Perrino BA.
Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2008 Jul;20(7):829-42.
PMID: 18557893 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Phospholamban knockout increases CaM kinase II activity and intracellular Ca2+ wave activity and alters contractile responses of murine gastric antrum.
Kim M, Hennig GW, Smith TK, Perrino BA.
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2008 Feb;294(2):C432-41. Epub 2007 Nov 28.
PMID: 18045856 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Nuclear translocation of calcineurin Abeta but not calcineurin Aalpha by platelet-derived growth factor in rat aortic smooth muscle.
Jabr RI, Wilson AJ, Riddervold MH, Jenkins AH, Perrino BA, Clapp LH.
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2007 Jun;292(6):C2213-25. Epub 2007 Feb 15.
PMID: 17303652 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

CaM kinase II activation and phospholamban phosphorylation by SNP in murine gastric antrum smooth muscles.
Kim M, Perrino BA.
Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2007 Apr;292(4):G1045-54. Epub 2006 Dec 21.
PMID: 17185633 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]