Mouhamed Awayda
Mouhamed Awayda
Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Ion channel kinetics and structure; Ion Transport; Membrane Biophysics; Membrane Transport (Ion Transport); Molecular and Cellular Biology; Molecular Basis of Disease
Professional Summary:
I am heavily involved in teaching at various levels within the University at Buffalo. I am involved in undergraduate, graduate and professional teaching. My scientific interest is in the regulation of ion transport in epithelia. I am interested in a sodium channel expressed in many epithelia throughout the body. In the kidneys, this channel and its regulation modify renal sodium excretion and body sodium balance. I am interested in mechanisms which control channel activity and more specifically, in the mechanism of channel activation from the extracellular space by extracellular proteases. I am also interested in the translational aspect of channel activation and specifically in the discovery of biomarkers of proteolytic channel activators. These biomarkers can likely report on channel activation in vivo and in this case, can serve can predictors of human hypertension. We are also interested in humans isoforms of the channel that when expressed modify its baseline activity as these can serve as potential models for human hypertension.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Alabama at Birmingham (1996)
- PhD, Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1993)
Employment:
- Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, SUNY at Buffalo (2011-present)
- Associate Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, SUNY at Buffalo (2005–2011)
- Associate Professor, Medicine/Physiology, Tulane University (2002–2005)
- Assistant Professor, Medicine/Physiology, Tulane University (1996–2002)
Research Expertise:
- Epithelial transport: Epithelial sodium transport and sodium channel regulation
- Renal Physiology: Renal control of ion excretion and absorption
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
- Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan
- Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- September 2000–November 2014
Regulation of intrinsic activity of the epithelial sodium channel
NIH- NIDDK
Role: Principal Investigator - November 2007–May 2011
Stimulation of renal sodium transport by membrane cholesterol
The John R. Oishei Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator - August 2009–December 2010
Does rapamycin affect tubular proteinuria
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Role: Contributor - October 2009–September 2010
A biomarker of renal collecting duct Na absorption: An assay for essential hypertension
Western New York National Kidney Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator - March 2002–March 2006
Mechanisms of ENaC regulation by extracellular proteases
VA Administration
Role: Co-Investigator
Journal Articles:
- Rodriguez R, Moreno M, Lee AY, Godoy-Lugo JA, Nakano D, Nishiyama A, Parkes D, Awayda MS, Ortiz RM. (2018) Simultaneous GLP-1 receptor activation and angiotensin receptor blockade increase natriuresis independent of altered arterial pressure in obese OLETF rats. Hypertension research : official journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension (Oct), 41(10): 798-808.
- Berman JM, Awayda RG, Awayda MS. (2015) Effects of urine composition on epithelial Na+ channel-targeted protease activity. Physiological reports (Nov), 3(11). doi:10.14814/phy2.12611
- Berman JM, Brand C, Awayda MS. (2015) A long isoform of the epithelial sodium channel alpha subunit forms a highly active channel. Channels (Austin, Tex.) (Jan), 9(1): 30-43. doi:10.4161/19336950.2014.985478
- Berman JM, Awayda RG, Awayda MS. (2015) Interacting domains in the epithelial sodium channel that mediate proteolytic activation. Channels (Austin, Tex.) (Jan), 9(5): 281-90. doi:10.1080/19336950.2015.1073869
- Berman JM, Awayda MS. (2013) Redox artifacts in electrophysiological recordings. American journal of physiology. Cell physiology (Apr), 304(7): C604-13. doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00318.2012
- Gondzik V, Weber WM, Awayda MS. (2012) Coupling of epithelial Na+ and Cl- channels by direct and indirect activation by serine proteases. American journal of physiology. Cell physiology (Nov), 303(9): C936-46. doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00395.2011
- Gondzik V, Awayda MS, Awayda M. (2011) Methods for stable recording of short-circuit current in a Na+-transporting epithelium. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol (Jul), 301(1): 162-170.
- Awayda MS, Awayda KL, Pochynyuk O, Bugaj V, Stockand JD, Ortiz RM, Awayda M. (2011) Acute cholesterol-induced anti-natriuretic effects: role of epithelial Na+ channel activity, protein levels, and processing. J Biol Chem (Jan), 286(3): 1683-1695.
- Kopkan L, Khan MA, Lis A, Awayda MS, Majid DS, Awayda M. (2009) Cholesterol induces renal vasoconstriction and anti-natriuresis by inhibiting nitric oxide production in anesthetized rats. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol (Dec), 297(6): 1606-1613.
- Hu JC, Bengrine A, Lis A, Awayda MS, Awayda M. (2009) Alternative mechanism of activation of the epithelial na+ channel by cleavage. J Biol Chem (Dec), 284(52): 36334-36345.
- Bengrine A, Li J, Hamm LL, Awayda MS, Awayda M. (2007) Indirect activation of the epithelial Na+ channel by trypsin. J Biol Chem (Sep), 282(37): 26884-26896.
- Ortiz RM, Graciano ML, Seth D, Awayda MS, Navar LG, Awayda M. (2007) Aldosterone receptor antagonism exacerbates intrarenal angiotensin II augmentation in ANG II-dependent hypertension. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol (Jul), 293(1): 139-147.
- Qu YJ, Bondarenko VE, Xie C, Wang S, Awayda MS, Strauss HC, Morales MJ. (2007) W-7 modulates Kv4.3: pore block and Ca2+-calmodulin inhibition. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol (May), 292(5): 2364-2377.
- Bengrine A, Li J, Awayda MS, Awayda M. (2007) The A-kinase anchoring protein 15 regulates feedback inhibition of the epithelial Na+ channel. FASEB J (Apr), 21(4): 1189-1201.
- Tobey NA, Argote CM, Awayda MS, Vanegas XC, Orlando RC, Awayda M. (2007) Effect of luminal acidity on the apical cation channel in rabbit esophageal epithelium. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol (Mar), 292(3): 796-805.
- Tobey NA, Argote CM, Awayda MS, Vanegas XC, Orlando RC, Awayda M. (2006) EFFECT OF LUMINAL ACIDITY ON THE APICAL CATION CHANNEL IN RABBIT ESOPHAGEAL EPITHELIUM. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol (Apr).
- Awayda MS, Shao W, Vukojicic I, Bengrine A, Awayda M. (2006) A simple in vivo method for assessing changes of membrane-bound ion channel density in Xenopus oocytes. Methods Mol Biol (Jan), 337: 101-115.
- Fuller AJ, Hauschild BC, Gonzalez-Villalobos R, Awayda MS, Imig JD, Inscho EW, Navar LG, Awayda M. (2005) Calcium and chloride channel activation by angiotensin II-AT1 receptors in preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol (Oct), 289(4): 760-767.
- Shao W, Orlando RC, Awayda MS, Awayda M. (2005) Bisphosphonates stimulate an endogenous nonselective cation channel in Xenopus oocytes: potential mechanism of action. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol (Aug), 289(2): 248-256.
- Awayda MS, Bengrine A, Tobey NA, Stockand JD, Orlando RC, Awayda M. (2004) Nonselective cation transport in native esophageal epithelia. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol (Aug), 287(2): 395-402.
- Awayda MS, Shao W, Guo F, Zeidel M, Hill WG, Awayda M. (2004) ENaC-membrane interactions: regulation of channel activity by membrane order. J Gen Physiol (Jun), 123(6): 709-727.
- Tobey NA, Hosseini SS, Argote CM, Dobrucali AM, Awayda MS, Orlando RC, Awayda M. (2004) Dilated intercellular spaces and shunt permeability in nonerosive acid-damaged esophageal epithelium. Am J Gastroenterol (Jan), 99(1): 13-22.
- Awayda MS, Platzer JD, Reger RL, Bengrine A, Awayda M. (2002) Role of PKCalpha in feedback regulation of Na(+) transport in an electrically tight epithelium. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol (Oct), 283(4): 1122-1132.
- Dobrucali A, Tobey NA, Awayda MS, Argote C, Abdulnour-Nakhoul S, Shao W, Orlando RC, Awayda M. (2002) Physiological and morphological effects of alendronate on rabbit esophageal epithelium. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol (Sep), 283(3): 576-586.
- Segal A, Awayda MS, Eggermont J, Van Driessche W, Weber WM, Awayda M. (2002) Influence of voltage and extracellular Na(+) on amiloride block and transport kinetics of rat epithelial Na(+) channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Pflugers Arch (Mar), 443(5-6): 882-891.
- Awayda MS, Boudreaux MJ, Reger RL, Hamm LL, Awayda M. (2000) Regulation of the epithelial Na(+) channel by extracellular acidification. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol (Dec), 279(6): 1896-1905.
- Awayda MS, Awayda M. (2000) Specific and nonspecific effects of protein kinase C on the epithelial Na (+) channel. J Gen Physiol (May), 115(5): 559-570.
- Awayda MS, Awayda M. (1999) Regulation of the epithelial Na(+) channel by intracellular Na(+). Am J Physiol (Aug), 277(2 Pt): 216-224.
- Awayda MS, Van Driessche W, Helman SI, Awayda M. (1999) Frequency-dependent capacitance of the apical membrane of frog skin: dielectric relaxation processes. Biophys J (Jan), 76(1 Pt): 219-232.
- Awayda MS, Subramanyam M, Awayda M. (1998) Regulation of the epithelial Na+ channel by membrane tension. J Gen Physiol (Aug), 112(2): 97-111.
- Awayda MS, Tousson A, Benos DJ, Awayda M. (1997) Regulation of a cloned epithelial Na+ channel by its beta- and gamma-subunits. Am J Physiol (Dec), 273(6 Pt): 1889-1899.
- Awayda M, Kumar S, Rappaport N. (1996) Relapsing group B streptococcal infection. Ann Intern Med (Aug), 125(4): 350-350.
- Awayda MS, Ismailov II, Berdiev BK, Fuller CM, Benos DJ, Awayda M. (1996) Protein kinase regulation of a cloned epithelial Na+ channel. J Gen Physiol (Jul), 108(1): 49-65.
- Benos DJ, Awayda MS, Berdiev BK, Bradford AL, Fuller CM, Senyk O, Ismailov II, Awayda M. (1996) Diversity and regulation of amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels. Kidney Int (Jun), 49(6): 1632-1637.
- Ismailov II, Awayda MS, Jovov B, Berdiev BK, Fuller CM, Dedman JR, Kaetzel M, Benos DJ, Awayda M. (1996) Regulation of epithelial sodium channels by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. J Biol Chem (Mar), 271(9): 4725-4732.
- Ismailov II, Awayda MS, Berdiev BK, Bubien JK, Lucas JE, Fuller CM, Benos DJ, Awayda M. (1996) Triple-barrel organization of ENaC, a cloned epithelial Na+ channel. J Biol Chem (Jan), 271(2): 807-816.
- Ismailov II, Berdiev BK, Bradford AL, Awayda MS, Fuller CM, Benos DJ, Awayda M. (1996) Associated proteins and renal epithelial Na+ channel function. J Membr Biol (Jan), 149(2): 123-132.
- Cunningham SA, Awayda MS, Bubien JK, Ismailov II, Arrate MP, Berdiev BK, Benos DJ, Fuller CM, Awayda M. (1995) Cloning of an epithelial chloride channel from bovine trachea. J Biol Chem (Dec), 270(52): 31016-31026.
- Fuller CM, Awayda MS, Arrate MP, Bradford AL, Morris RG, Canessa CM, Rossier BC, Benos DJ, Awayda M. (1995) Cloning of a bovine renal epithelial Na+ channel subunit. Am J Physiol (Sep), 269(3 Pt): 641-654.
- Awayda MS, Ismailov II, Berdiev BK, Benos DJ, Awayda M. (1995) A cloned renal epithelial Na+ channel protein displays stretch activation in planar lipid bilayers. Am J Physiol (Jun), 268(6 Pt): 1450-1459.
- Benos DJ, Awayda MS, Ismailov II, Johnson JP, Awayda M. (1995) Structure and function of amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels. J Membr Biol (Jan), 143(1): 1-18.
- Kidder GW, Awayda MS, Awayda M. (1989) Effects of azide on gastric mucose. Biochim Biophys Acta (Jan), 973(1): 59-66.
Presentations:
- "Cleavage of epithelial sodium channel" American Physiological Society Conference on Epithelial Ion Transport (2013)
- "Epithelial sodium channel" Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology SUNY at Buffalo (2013)
- "Renal sodium channels" University of California at Merced (2010)
- "Regulation of Epithelial Sodium Transport by pH" American Physiological Society Conference on Epithelial Ion Transport (2010)
- "Proteolytic activation of epithelial sodium channel" Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology (2009)
- "Effect of cholesterol and membrane composition on a renal sodium channel" SUNY at Buffalo, Physiology and Biophysics (2009)
- "Renal sodium transport" Satellite Symposium of the International Union of Physiological Sciences (2009)
- "Renal sodium transport and activation" American Physiological Society Conference on Epithelial Ion Transport (2008)
- "Regulation of epithelial sodium channels" American Physiological Society Conference on Epithelial Ion Transport (2007)
- "Regulation of epithelial sodium channels by membrane properties" Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, American Physiological Society Symposium (2006)
Service Activities:
- University at Buffalo TPP (tenure and promotion privileges) committee; Committee Member (2025–2026)
- University at Buffalo Faculty Senate; Senator (2025–2028)
- Faculty Senate Equity and Diversity Committee; Committee Member (2024–2025)
- University Senate CAFR (committee on academic freedom and responsibility); Committee Member (2024–2025)
- University at Buffalo T&L (teaching and learning committee; Committee Member (2024–2025)
- Admission committee PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences (PPBS) (2021–present)
- Ad hoc committee on medical school promotions- non tenure track (2020–2025)
- Council on inclusion in medicine and sciences; committee on graduate and medical trainee recruitment and development (2019–2020)
- NIH special emphasis panel; Panel Member (2018–present)
- Undergraduate curriculum steering committee (2017–2018)
- FASEB Journal (2015–present)
- Channels (2015–present)
- IJMS- International Journal of Molecular Sciences, various disciplines (2015–present)
- MDPI (2015–present)
- Pflugers Archives (2015–present)
- American Journal of Physiology- Respiratory (2015–present)
- American Journal of Physiology- Regulatory and Integrative (2015–present)
- Biochemistry (2015–present)
- Journal of Biological Chemistry (2015–present)
- Journal of Physiology (2015–present)
- New laboratory animal facilities for buffalo's downtown campus (2014–2017)
- Frontier in Physiology, editorial board member; Editorial Board (2012–present)
- SUNY Wide Faculty Senate, alternate senator from the University at Buffalo Health Sciences (2012–2015)
- NIH ZRG1-DKUS-B; Panel member NIH study section (2010–2012)
- NIH SEP PPG panel reviewer for NIDDK; Study section member (2010–present)
- Academics standards committee of the faculty counsel (2010–2012)
- Phase I Medical Education Committee (2010–2016)
- Journal of General Physiology (2010–present)
- American Journal of Physiology- Cell (2010–present)
- American Journal of Physiology- Renal (2010–present)
- Journal of Membrane Biology (2010–present)
- Kidney International (2010–present)
- Biophysical Journal; Reviewer (2010–present)
- Physiology and biophysics shop committee (2008–2016)
- Faculty recruitment committee (2008–2015)
- UB2020 Molecular Recognition Faculty Search Committee, Physiology and Biophysics representative (alternate) (2008–2009)
- Ad hoc teaching reimbursement committee, Physiology and Biophysics (2008–2009)
- Sigma Chi (2007–2012)
- Graduate qualifying exam, Physiology and Biophysics, 2007, 2009, 2015 (2007–2015)
- American Heart Association Cell Transport Study Section; Panel member/Reviewer (2007–2011)
- IFR committee Physiology and Biophysics (2007–2009)
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences Admissions Committee (2007–2009)
- Annual Experimental Biology Meeting; Symposium organizer (2006)
- Experimental Biology and Medicine,; Editorial Board Member (2006–2016)
- Distinguished Scientist Seminar Committee (2006–2007)
- Suk-Ki Hong memorial lectureship committee- chair; physiology and biophysics (2005–2016)
- American Journal of Physiology- Renal; Editorial board member (2004–2007)
- Education Committee, American Physiological Society; Committee member (2004–2007)
- Porter Physiology Development and Minority Affairs Committee, American Physiological Society; Committee Member (2004–2007)