Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute

Jeffrey E. Pessin, Ph.D.

Jeffrey E. Pessin, Ph.D.Jeffrey E. Pessin, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Medicine (Endocrinology)
Professor, Department of Molecular Pharmacology
Judy R. and Alfred A. Rosenberg Professorial Chair in Diabetes Research
Director, Diabetes Research Center, Department of Medicine 

Dr. Pessin’s research in Diabetes and insulin action has centered on the molecular analysis of liver insulin resistance resulting in increased gluconeogenesis driving hyperglycemia and de novo lipogenesis driving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These efforts focus on intracellular insulin signaling cascades and the control of gluconeogenic and lipogenic gene expression. In parallel, studies on adipocyte biology focus on adipose tissue inflammation and the regulation of the NF-kB signaling pathway. These efforts utilize state-of-the-art cell and molecular biological approaches that include genetic mouse models (knockout, knockin and transgenic expression) in addition to integrative physiology of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. These studies are providing important new information for our understanding of the molecular events causing altered metabolism and the basis for more effective treatments of diabetes, obesity and metabolic dysregulation. full bio>> 


Key Publications

  1. Yamada, E., Bastie, C.C., Koga, H., Wang, Y., Cuervo, A.M and Pessin, J.E. Mouse skeletal muscle fiber-type specific macroautophagy and muscle wasting is regulated by a Fyn/STAT3/Vps34 signaling pathway. Cell Reports, 1:557-569, 2012.
  2. Zhao, X., Feng, D., Wang, Q., Abdulla, A., Xie, X-J., Zhou, J., Sun, Y., Yang, E.S., Liu, L-P., Vaitheesvaran, B., Bridges, L., Kurland, I.J., Strich, R., Ni, J-Q., Wang, C., Ericsson, J., Pessin, J.E., Ji, J-Y., and Yang, F. Conserved regulation of lipid homeostasis by CDK8-mediated control of nuclear SREBP-1 stability. J. Clin. Invest., 122:2417-2427, 2012.
  3. Lee, T.W., Kwon, H., Zong, H., Yamada, E., Vatish, M., Pessin, J.E. and Bastie, C.C. Fyn deficiency promotes a preferential increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue mass and decreased visceral adipose tissue inflammation. Diabetes, 62:1537-1546, 2013.
  4. Kwon H, Laurent S, Tang Y, Zong H, Vemulapalli P, and Pessin JE. Adipocyte specific IKKb signaling suppresses adipose tissue inflammation through an IL-13 dependent paracrine feedback pathway. Cell Reports, 9: 1574-83, 2014.
  5. Zhao, X., Zong, H., Xiaoli, Abdulla, A., Yang, E.S.T., Ji, J-Y., Pessin, J.E., Das, B.C. and Yang, F. Inhibition of SREBP transcriptional activity by a boron-containing compound ameliorates lipid homeostasis in vitro and in high-fat dietinduced obesity. Diabetes, 63:2464-73, 2014.

Funding

  1. 4R37 DK033823-34
    4/1/15-3/31/19
    NIH/NIDDK
    $280,000/yr 01
    Regulation of the insulin receptor kinase
    The objectives of this project are focused on assessing the functional role the Tigar protein in mediating inflammatory signaling and regulation of the NF-kB signaling pathway through linear ubiquination in adipose tissue.
  2. R01 AR064420-03
    3/7/13-2/28/18
    NIH/NIAMS
    $270,855/yr 03
    Molecular basis for skeletal muscle pathophysiology in Pompe's disease The objectives of this project are to identify the mechanisms responsible for the muscle atrophy that occurs in pompe disease mice through the lysosome-dependent regulation of mTORC1 and macroautophagy.
  3. R01 DK098439-03
    4/1/13-3/31/17
    NIH/NIDDK
    $249,800/yr 03
    mTORC1-dependent regulation of the CycC/CDK8 complex
    The objectives of this project are focused on identifying the mTORC1-dependent signaling pathway and mechanisms responsible for the down regulation of the CDK8/CycC complex that in turn, regulates the stability of the nuclear SREBP-1c protein.
  4. P30 DK020541-37
    4/1/15-3/31/20
    NIH/NIDDK
    $1,250,000/yr 01
    Regional Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center
    This is the competitive renewal of the Einstein DRTC to support diabetes research at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and affiliated faculty focused on basic, pre-clinical, clinical and community levels. The funds from this award are used to support biomedical core facilities. There are no funds available for individual research other than Pilot & Feasibility studies.