Arin Bhattacharjee PhD
Arin Bhattacharjee
PhD
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Gene Expression; Ion channel kinetics and structure; Membrane Transport (Ion Transport); Molecular and Cellular Biology; Neurobiology; Pathophysiology; Signal Transduction
Professional Summary:
Neuronal firing patterns are highly diverse because neurons regulate a wide variety of different behaviors and physiological functions including pain, cognition and memory. Whether a neuron exhibits regular spiking, burst firing, adaptation or high frequency firing will largely be determined by which specific ion channel genes a neuron expresses. I am an ion channel biologist. I study the regulation of ion channels by intracellular factors and kinases and I study how they are trafficked in and out of the neuronal membrane. In addition to patch-clamp electrophysiology, molecular biology and biochemistry, my lab has used transgenic mouse models and in vivo gene knockdown approaches to determine how ion channels and ion channel interacting proteins contribute to pain behavior. I also develop pharmacological tools to target ion channel trafficking and some of these molecules have led to filings of patents to treat human disease.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Pharmacology/Neuroscience, Yale University (2003)
- PhD, Pharmacology, University of South Alabama (1999)
- Certificate, Pharmacology Certificate, University of Alberta (1992)
- BS, Biology, University of Alberta (1991)
Employment:
- Professor, Pharmacology & Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo (2023-present)
- Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo (2013–2023)
- Director of Undergraduate Education, Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo (2017–2022)
- Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo (2005–2013)
- Associate Research Scientist, Pharmacology, Yale University (2003–2005)
- Postdoctoral Associate, Pharmacology, Yale University (1999–2003)
Research Expertise:
- Electrophysiologist: Basic methods in cellular and neuronal electrophysiology
- Neuropharmacologist: Developing pharmacological tools to treat pain
- Neuroscientist: biophysics of neurons, synaptic plasticity, ion channels, pain
- Pain behaviorist: Methods in animal pain behavior
- Pharmacologist: principles in pharmacology, drugs
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
- Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- June 2022–May 2027
The role of the nociceptor endocytosis in inflammatory pain
National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,907,471 - September 2019–March 2024
Disrupting ion channel scaffolding to treat neuropathic pain
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,901,925 - April 2019–March 2021
The role of the AP2 adaptor complex in inflammatory pain
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Role: Principal Investigator
$426,725 - September 2012–June 2017
Ionic Mechanisms Underlying Dorsal Root Ganglion Excitability
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,677,856 - February 2008–January 2010
John R. Oishei Foundation
John R. Oishei Foundation
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$220,000 - January 2006–December 2008
American Diabetes Association - Junior Faculty Award
American Diabetes Association
Role: Principal Investigator
$414,000
Patents:
- Synthetic polypeptides that control the trafficking of NMDA receptors (2024)
- Analgesic and Anesthetic Peptides and Other Agents The invention provides cell-penetrating peptidomimetics and methods of using these peptides to treat inflammatory pain, and provide analgesia (2020)
- Peptides and Other Agents for Treating Pain, Inducing Local Analgesia and Increasing Pain Sensitivity The invention provides cell-penetrating peptidomimetics and methods of using these peptides to treat pain, induce analgesia or increase sensitivity to pain (2018)
Journal Articles:
- Powell R, Young VA, Pryce KD, Sheehan GD, Bonsu K, Ahmed A, Bhattacharjee A. (2021) Inhibiting endocytosis in CGRP+ nociceptors attenuates inflammatory pain-like behavior. Nat Commun (Oct), 12: 5812. doi:10.1038/s41467-021-26100-6
- Gururaj S, Palmer EE, Sheehan GD, Kandula T, Macintosh R, Ying K, Morris P, Tao J, Dias KR, Zhu Y, Dinger ME, Cowley MJ, Kirk EP, Roscioli T, Sachdev R, Duffey ME, Bye A, Bhattacharjee A. (2017) A De Novo Mutation in the Sodium-Activated Potassium Channel KCNT2 Alters Ion Selectivity and Causes Epileptic Encephalopathy. Cell Rep (Oct), 21(4): 926-933.
- Bonoiu AC, Bergey EJ, Ding H, Hu R, Kumar R, Yong KT, Prasad PN, Mahajan S, Picchione KE, Bhattacharjee A, Ignatowski TA. (2011) Gold nanorod--siRNA induces efficient in vivo gene silencing in the rat hippocampus. Nanomedicine (Lond) (Jun), 6(4): 617-630.
- Nuwer MO, Picchione KE, Bhattacharjee A. (2010) PKA-induced internalization of slack KNa channels produces dorsal root ganglion neuron hyperexcitability. J Neurosci (Oct), 30(42): 14165-14172.
- Tamsett TJ, Picchione KE, Bhattacharjee A. (2009) NAD+ Activates KNa Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons. J Neurosci (Apr), 29(16): 5127-5134.
- Molly K Martin MK, Rodriguez R, Guerrero G, Sheehan GD, Powell R, Klein AH, Bhattacharjee A. (2024) Pharmacologically enabling the degradation of NaV1.8 channels to reduce neuropathic pain. Pain (Nov) doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003470
- Sheehan GD, Martin MK, Roszczyk A, Hao K, Bhattacharjee A. (2024) Identifying the function of the NMDA NR1 C2 subunit through its interaction with Magi-2 during inflammatory pain. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology (Jan). doi:10.1101/2024.01.30.578033
- Sheehan GD, Martin MK, Young VA, Powell R, Bhattacharjee A. (2021) Thermal hyperalgesia and dynamic weight bearing share similar recovery dynamics in a sciatic nerve entrapment injury model. Neurobiol Pain (Dec), 10 doi:10.1016/j.ynpai.2021.100079
- Pryce KD, Powell R, Agwa D, Evely KM, Sheehan GD, Nip A, Tomasello DL, Gururaj S, Bhattacharjee A. (2019) Magi-1 scaffolds NaV1.8 and Slack KNa channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons regulating excitability and pain. FASEB J (Jun), 33(6): 7315-7330.
- Gururaj S, Evely KM, Pryce KD, Li J, Qu J, Bhattacharjee A. (2017) Protein Kinase A induced internalization of Slack channels from the neuronal membrane occurs by Adaptor Protein-2/Clathrin mediated endocytosis. J Biol Chem (Oct)
- Tomasello DL, Hurley E, Wrabetz L, Bhattacharjee A. (2017) Slick (Kcnt2) Sodium-Activated Potassium Channels Limit Peptidergic Nociceptor Excitability and Hyperalgesia. J Exp Neurosci (Sep), 11: 1179069517-1179069517.
- Evely KM, Pryce KD, Bausch AE, Lukowski R, Ruth P, Haj-Dahmane S, Bhattacharjee A. (2017) Slack KNa Channels Influence Dorsal Horn Synapses and Nociceptive Behavior. Mol Pain (Jan), 13: 1744806917-1744806917.
- Evely KM, Pryce KD, Bausch AE, Lukowski R, Ruth P, Haj-Dahmane S, Bhattacharjee A. (2017) [EXPRESS] Slack KNa Channels Influence Dorsal Horn Synapses and Nociceptive Behavior. Mol Pain (Jan), 13: 1744806917-1744806917.
- Gururaj S, Fleites J, Bhattacharjee A. (2016) Slack sodium-activated potassium channel membrane expression requires p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. Neuropharmacology (Apr), 103: 279-289.
- Tomasello DL, Gancarz-Kausch AM, Dietz DM, Bhattacharjee A,. (2015) Transcriptional Regulation of the Sodium-activated Potassium Channel SLICK (KCNT2) Promoter by Nuclear Factor-??B. J Biol Chem (Jul), 290(30): 18575-18583.
- Biton B, Sethuramanujam S, Picchione KE, Bhattacharjee A, Khessibi N, Chesney F, Lanneau C, Curet O, Avenet P. (2012) The antipsychotic drug loxapine is an opener of the sodium-activated potassium channel slack (Slo2.2). J Pharmacol Exp Ther (Mar), 340(3): 706-715.
- Bonoiu AC, Bergey EJ, Ding H, Hu R, Kumar R, Yong KT, Prasad PN, Mahajan S, Picchione KE, Bhattacharjee A, Ignatowski TA. (2011) Gold nanorod-siRNA induces efficient in vivo gene silencing in the rat hippocampus. Nanomedicine (Lond) (Jun), 6(4): 617-630.
- Picchione KE, Bhattacharjee A. (2011) Viral genome silencing by neuronal sirtuin 1. J Neurovirol (Apr), 17: 184-188.
- Nuwer MO, Picchione KE, Bhattacharjee A. (2009) cAMP-dependent kinase does not modulate the Slack sodium-activated potassium channel. Neuropharmacology (Sep), 57(3): 219-226.
- Chen H, Kronengold J, Yan Y, Gazula VR, Brown MR, Ma L, Ferreira G, Yang Y, Bhattacharjee A, Sigworth FJ, Salkoff L, Kaczmarek LK. (2009) The N-terminal domain of Slack determines the formation and trafficking of Slick/Slack heteromeric sodium-activated potassium channels. J Neurosci (Apr), 29(17): 5654-5665.
- Nanou E, Kyriakatos A, Bhattacharjee A, Kaczmarek LK, Paratcha G, El Manira A. (2008) Na+-mediated coupling between AMPA receptors and KNa channels shapes synaptic transmission. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (Dec), 105(52): 20941-20946.
- Brown MR, Kronengold J, Gazula VR, Spilianakis CG, Flavell RA, von Hehn CA, Bhattacharjee A, Kaczmarek LK. (2008) Amino-termini isoforms of the Slack K+ channel, regulated by alternative promoters, differentially modulate rhythmic firing and adaptation. J Physiol (Nov), 586(Pt 21): 5161-5179.
- Wallén P, Robertson B, Cangiano L, Löw P, Bhattacharjee A, Kaczmarek LK, Grillner S. (2007) Sodium-dependent potassium channels of a Slack-like subtype contribute to the slow afterhyperpolarization in lamprey spinal neurons. J Physiol (Sep).
- Yang B, Gribkoff VK, Pan J, Damagnez V, Dworetzky SI, Boissard CG, Bhattacharjee A, Yan Y, Sigworth FJ, Kaczmarek LK. (2006) Pharmacological activation and inhibition of Slack (Slo2.2) channels. Neuropharmacology (Sep), 51(4): 896-906.
- Song P, Yang Y, Barnes-Davies M, Bhattacharjee A, Hamann M, Forsythe ID, Oliver DL, Kaczmarek LK. (2005) Acoustic environment determines phosphorylation state of the Kv3.1 potassium channel in auditory neurons. Nat Neurosci (Oct), 8(10): 1335-1342.
- Bhattacharjee A, Kaczmarek LK. (2005) For K(+) channels, Na(+) is the new Ca(2+). Trends Neurosci (Aug), 28(8): 422-428.
- Kaczmarek LK, Bhattacharjee A, Desai R, Gan L, Song P, von Hehn CA, Whim MD, Yang B. (2005) Regulation of the timing of MNTB neurons by short-term and long-term modulation of potassium channels. Hear Res (Aug), 206(1-2): 133-145.
- Bhattacharjee A, von Hehn CA, Mei X, Kaczmarek LK. (2005) Localization of the Na(+)-activated K(+) channel Slick in the rat central nervous system. J Comp Neurol (Mar), 484(1): 80-92.
- Zhang Y, Joiner WJ, Bhattacharjee A, Rassendren F, Magoski NS, Kaczmarek LK. (2004) The appearance of a protein kinase A-regulated splice isoform of slo is associated with the maturation of neurons that control reproductive behavior. J Biol Chem (Dec), 279(50): 52324-52330.
- von Hehn CA, Bhattacharjee A, Kaczmarek LK. (2004) Loss of Kv3.1 tonotopicity and alterations in cAMP response element-binding protein signaling in central auditory neurons of hearing impaired mice. J Neurosci (Feb), 24(8): 1936-1940.
- Huang L, Bhattacharjee A, Taylor JT, Zhang M, Keyser BM, Marrero L, Li M. (2004) [Ca2+]i regulates trafficking of Cav1.3 (alpha1D Ca2+ channel) in insulin-secreting cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol (Feb), 286(2): 213-221.
- Bhattacharjee A, Joiner WJ, Wu M, Yang Y, Sigworth FJ, Kaczmarek LK. (2003) Slick (Slo2.1), a rapidly-gating sodium-activated potassium channel inhibited by ATP. J Neurosci (Dec), 23(37): 11681-11691.
- Bhattacharjee A, Gan L, Kaczmarek LK. (2002) Localization of the Slack potassium channel in the rat central nervous system. J Comp Neurol (Dec), 454(3): 241-254.
- Goswami T, Bhattacharjee A, Babal P, Searle S, Moore E, Li M, Blackwell JM. (2001) Natural-resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 is an H+/bivalent cation antiporter. Biochem J (Mar), 354(Pt 3): 511-519.
- Wu S, Zhang M, Vest PA, Bhattacharjee A, Liu L, Li M. (2000) A mibefradil metabolite is a potent intracellular blocker of L-type Ca(2+) currents in pancreatic beta-cells. J Pharmacol Exp Ther (Mar), 292(3): 939-943.
- Zhuang H, Bhattacharjee A, Hu F, Zhang M, Goswami T, Wang L, Wu S, Berggren PO, Li M. (2000) Cloning of a T-type Ca2+ channel isoform in insulin-secreting cells. Diabetes (Jan), 49(1): 59-64.
- Whitehurst RM, Zhang M, Bhattacharjee A, Li M. (1999) Dexamethasone-induced hypertrophy in rat neonatal cardiac myocytes involves an elevated L-type Ca(2+)current. J Mol Cell Cardiol (Aug), 31(8): 1551-1558.
- Wang L, Bhattacharjee A, Zuo Z, Hu F, Honkanen RE, Berggren PO, Li M. (1999) A low voltage-activated Ca2+ current mediates cytokine-induced pancreatic beta-cell death. Endocrinology (Mar), 140(3): 1200-1204.
- Bhattacharjee A, Whitehurst RM, Zhang M, Wang L, Li M. (1997) T-type calcium channels facilitate insulin secretion by enhancing general excitability in the insulin-secreting beta-cell line, INS-1. Endocrinology (Sep), 138(9): 3735-3740.
- Wang L, Bhattacharjee A, Fu J, Li M. (1996) Abnormally expressed low-voltage-activated calcium channels in beta-cells from NOD mice and a related clonal cell line. Diabetes (Dec), 45(12): 1678-1683.
Professional Memberships:
- International Association for the Study of Pain (2018–present)
- Society for Neuroscience (2000–present)
Presentations:
- "Pharmacologically targeting the metabolism of NaV1.8 channels to reduce chronic pain" Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (2024)
- "Pharmacologically enabling the degradation of Nav1.8 channels to reduce chronic pain" Saint Louis University, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (2024)
- "Pharmacologically targeting the metabolism of NaV1.8 channels to reduce chronic pain" University of Alabama at Birmingham, Heersink School of Medicine (2024)
- "Targeting Nociceptor Endocytosis to Treat Pain" Hospital for Special Surgery Research Institute: Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program (2023)
- "Targeting Dorsal Root Ganglion Endocytosis to treat Pain" The State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Pediatrics (2020)
- "Targeting dorsal root ganglion neuronal endocytosis to treat inflammatory pain" University of Cincinnati (2019)
- "Treating pain by causing ion channel traffic jams" University of Connecticut, UCONN Health (2018)
- "K(Na) channels make it less painful" University of California, San Diego (2016)
- "K(Na) channels and DRG neuron excitability" The Midwest Pain Interest Group Annual Meeting, University of Chicago (2011)
- "The Contribution of KNa Channels to DRG Neuron Excitability" Virginia Commonwealth University (2011)
- "Exogenous DNA induces hyperexcitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons. An innate immune response?" Harvard Medical School, Children’s Hospital (2010)
- "Potassium channels: characterization, modulation, function" Karolinska Institutet (2010)
- "Sodium-activated Potassium Channels" Sanofi-Aventis Rescherce et Développement (2009)
- "Sodium-activated Potassium Channel Regulation" The State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (2009)
- "The functional roles of sodium-activated potassium channels in the nervous system" The State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Oral Biology, (2006)
- "Sodium-activated potassium channels: What?!" The State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Physiology and Biophysics (2006)
Service Activities:
- Neurobiology of Pain and Itch (NPI) Study Section, Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience Integrated Review Group, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health; Standing Member (2022–present)
- Frontiers Cellular Neuroscience; Review Editor (2021–2022)
- PhD Program in the Biomedical Sciences (PPBS) Steering Committee member (2017–2019)
- Undergraduate Education; Director (2017–2022)
- National Institutes of Health; ad hoc reviewer (2016–2022)
- National Institutes of Health Study Section; Ad hoc reviewer (2016–2022)
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Animal Protocols Review (2010–2013)
- Pharmacology Undergraduate Advisory Committee (2007–2022)
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Chair Search Committee member (2007–2008)
- Neuroscience Program Steering Committee (2006–2009)
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in the Biomedical Sciences Admissions; Committee member (2006–2008)
- ; President of the Society for Neuroscience Buffalo Chapter (2005–2007)
- Cell Reports, Pain, FASEB Journal, Molecular Pharmacology, Scientific Reports, Journal of Physiology, Brain Research, Neuroscience, Neuroscience Letters, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Pharmacology Reviews, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, American Journal of Physiology: Cell Physiology, Cancer Letters, Cancer Investigations; Reviewer (2005–2022)