Department of Physiology and Cell Biology

Violeta Mutafova-Yambolieva, MD, Ph. D.

Professor

My laboratory is interested in understanding how the peripheral nervous system regulates the functions of blood vessels and visceral smooth muscles. We investigate mechanisms of cotransmitter release and neuromodulation (pre-junctional aspects of neurotransmission), mechanisms of intercellular communications at the neuromuscular junction, and signal transduction mechanisms of neurotransmitter action (post-junctional aspects of neurotransmission). Our long-term goal is to develop methods for the prevention and treatment of conditions associated with dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system such as hypertension, abnormal vasospasm, cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure, idiopathic bladder incontinence, and neurogenic bladder.

Most recently, we determined that beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is released along with norepinephrine (NE) and adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) during nerve stimulation in blood vessels and visceral smooth muscles from a large variety of species. NAD, not previously considered a player at the smooth muscle neuroeffector junction, appears to meet several criteria defining a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator. The next logical step is to determine the functional correlates of this phenomenon in using models corresponding to physiological and pathological conditions in humans. We use neurochemistry, protein biochemistry, immunohistochemistry, functional and molecular biology techniques to study mechanisms of peripheral neurotransmission from mice with specific gene deletions to genetically hypertensive animals to humans.

Search For Dr. Mutafova-Yambolieva's Publications In PubMed

Smyth LM, Breen LT, Yamboliev IA, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. Novel localization of CD38 in perivascular sympathetic nerve terminals. Neuroscience 139:1467-77 (2006).

Breen LT, Smyth LM, Yamboliev IA, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. beta-NAD is a novel nucleotide released on stimulation of nerve terminals in human urinary bladder detrusor muscle. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 290:F486-95 (2006).

Smyth LM, Breen LT, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is released from sympathetic nerve terminals via a botulinum neurotoxin A-mediated mechanism in canine mesenteric artery. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 290(5):H1818-25(2006).

Bobalova J, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. Activation of the adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A pathway facilitates neural release of beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in canine mesenteric artery. Eur J Pharmacol 536:128-32 (2006).

Yamboliev IA, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. PI3K and PKC contribute to membrane depolarization mediated by alpha2-adrenoceptors in the canine isolated mesenteric vein. BMC Physiol. 15;5:9 (2005).

Smyth LM, Bobalova J, Mendoza MG, Lew C, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. Release of beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide upon stimulation of postganglionic nerve terminals in blood vessels and urinary bladder. J Biol Chem 279:48893-903 (2004).

Mutafova-Yambolieva VN, Smyth L, Bobalova J. Involvement of cyclic AMP-mediated pathway in neural release of noradrenaline in canine isolated mesenteric artery and vein. Cardiovasc Res 57:217-24 (2003).

Bobalova J, Bobal P, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. High-performance liquid chromatographic technique for detection of a fluorescent analogue of ADP-ribose in isolated blood vessel preparations. Anal Biochem 305:269-76 (2002).

Mutafova-Yambolieva VN, Keef KD. Frequency dependent alpha2-adrenoceptor mediated modulation of excitatory junction potentials in guinea-pig mesenteric artery. Eur J Pharmacol 411/1-2, 125-129 (2001).

Bobalova J, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. Corelease of endogenous ATP and NA in guinea-pig vein exceeds corelease in mesenteric artery. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 28:397-401 (2001).

Bobalova J, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. Presynaptic alpha2-adrenoceptor mediated modulation of ATP and noradrenaline co-release: differences in canine mesenteric artery and vein. J Autonomic Pharmacol, 21: 1-9 (2001).

Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. Carolan BM, Harden TK, Keef KD - P2Y Receptors Mediate Contraction in Guinea-Pig Mesenteric Vein. Gen Pharmacol. The Vascular System. 34, 127-136 (2000).

Smyth L, Bobalova, S. M. Ward, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. Neuropeptide Y is a cotransmitter with noradrenaline in guinea-pig inferior mesenteric vein. Peptides 21(6): 835-843 (2000).

Smyth L, Bobalova J, Ward SM, Keef KD, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN. Cotransmission from sympathetic vasoconstrictor neurons: differences in guinea-pig mesenteric artery and vein. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical, 86/1-2:18-29 (2000).

Mutafova-Yambolieva VN, Westfall DP. Inhibitory and Facilitatory Presynaptic Effects of Endothelin on Sympathetic Cotransmission in the Rat Isolated Tail Artery. Br J Pharmacol, 123, 136-142 (1998).

Mutafova-Yambolieva VN, Westfall DP. Effects of type-C Natriuretic Peptide (CNP) on Adrenergic/Purinergic Cotransmission in Rat Tail Artery. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol, 25, 12:1013-1018 (1998).

Mutafova-Yambolieva VN, Keef KD. Adenosine-induced hyperpolarization in guinea-pig coronary artery involves A2b receptors and KATP channels. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 273, 42/6, H2687-H2695 (1997).