Professor
Dept. of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics
Tufts University School of Medicine
136 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-636-0346
Email: Margery.Beinfeld@tufts.edu

Research Interests:

Dr. Beinfeld's research focuses on understanding the mechanism and regulation of the biosynthesis and processing of cholecystokinin (CCK).

Dr. Beinfeld is using a broad, multidisciplinary approach to studying the biosynthesis of pro CCK. In particular: 1). Using standard anatomical techniques, we are mapping the distribution of proteolytic enzymes that may be involved in CCK processing and establishing whether they are co-localized with CCK. 2). Using transgenic mice and other genetic models, we are examining the effect of loss of specific processing enzymes on the cleavage of pro CCK in rodent tissues. 3). This work is being extended using quantitative PCR and gene chip analysis to examine how the loss of individual enzymes alters the expression of other proteins. 4). Using a number of state-of-the art antisense and antigene strategies, we are examining the effect of alterations of the expression of specific enzymes on pro CCK processing in endocrine cells and in rodent brain slices.

Recent Publications:

Panksepp J, Burgdorf J, Beinfeld MC, Kroes RA, Moskal JR. Brain regional neuropeptide changes resulting from social defeat. Behav Neurosci. 2007; 121(6):1364-71.

Pham VL, Cadel MS, Gouzy-Darmon C, Hanquez C, Beinfeld MC, Nicolas P, Etchebest C, Foulon T.
Aminopeptidase B, a glucagon-processing enzyme: site directed mutagenesis of the Zn2+-binding motif and molecular modelling. BMC Biochem. 2007; 8(1):21

Raess JW, Lavine JA, Keller MP, Yandell BS, Stapleton DS, Rabaglia MA, Clee SM, Schueler KL, Lan H, Kitagawa K, Samuelson LC, Hellerstein MK, Beinfeld MC, Attie AD. Cholecystokinin deficiency in obese mice results in decreased cell mass. Diabetes 2007 (Submitted).

Geiger BM, Behr GG, Frank LE, Caldera-Siu AD, Beinfeld MC, Pothos EN. Attenuated Central Dopamine Exocytosis is an Early Postnatal Marker for Dietary Obesity Predisposition. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2007 (Submitted).