Gina Yosten, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Pharmacological and Physiological Science
Research
G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most abundant receptor family encoded by the human genome. They are involved in all aspects of mammalian cellular life, and are extraordinarily diverse both in terms of ligands and biological function. GPCRs can bind to peptides, lipids, and react to photons; and they play a role in various cellular and physiological processes, including cell motility, metabolism, and visual perception. In particular, GPCRs play essential roles in the central nervous system, including neurotransmission and neuronal metabolism, as well as in energy homeostasis, including modulation of insulin signaling and glucose metabolism. Within the GPCR superfamily is a subgroup of GPCRs, identified by molecular cloning and bioinformatics, for which the ligands are unknown. I have developed a simple, yet effective strategy that utilizes a combination of in vitro pharmacology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, to match these “orphan” GPCRs with their cognate ligands. Using this strategy, I have matched two orphan GPCRs with their ligands–GPR107 with the neuropeptide neuronostatin, and GPR146 with the connecting peptide, or C-peptide, of pro-insulin. My overall goals are to 1) evaluate the roles of GPCRs in diabetes-associated microvascular dysfunction, and 2) understand the roles of GPCRs in the central circuits underlying obesity-associated hypertension.
Publications
Salvatori, A.S., Elrick, M.M. Corbett, J.A., Samson, W.K.,and Yosten, G.L.C. (2014) Neuronostatin inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion via a direct action on the pancreatic alpha cell. Accepted, American Journal of Physiology. PMID: 24735892.
Kolar, G.R., Elrick, M.M., and Yosten, G.L.C. (2014) G protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling: Implications for the Treatment of Diabetes and its Complications (Invited Review). Accepted, OA Evidence-Based Medicine, London.
Yosten, G.L.C., and Samson, W.K. (2014) Neural circuitry underlying the central hypertensive action of nesfatin-1: melanocortins, corticotropin releasing hormone and oxytocin. Accepted, American Journal of Physiology. PMID: 24598461.
Liu, J., Yosten, G.L.C., Zhang, D., Ji, H., Zheng, W., Bajaj, B., Speth, R. C., Samson, W.K., and Sandberg, K. (2014) Selective inhibition of angiotensin receptor signaling through Erk1/2 pathway by a novel peptide. American Journal of Physiology, 25: 1290-1297. PMID: 24523339.
Pate, A.T., Yosten, G.L.C., and Samson, W.K. (2013) Compromise of endogenous neuropeptide W production abrogates the dipsogenic and pressor effects of angiotensin II in adult, male rats. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 25(12): 1290-1297. PMID: 24028220.
Pate, A.T., Yosten, G.L.C., and Samson, W.K. (2013) Neuropeptide W increases mean arterial pressure as a result of behavioral arousal. American Journal of Physiology, 305(7): R804-R810. PMID: 23926134.
Yosten, G.L.C., Kolar, G.R., Redlinger, L.J., and Samson, W.K. (2013) Evidence for an interaction between proinsulin C-peptide and GPR146. Journal of Endocrinology, 218(2): B1-8. PMID: 23980258.
Yosten, G.L.C., and Samson, W.K. (2013) Cardiovascular and antidipsogenic effects of nesfatin-1. Review. Current Pharmaceutical Design, Accepted. PMID: 23537087.
Yosten, G.L.C., Lyu, R.M., Hsueh, A.J., Chang, J.K., Tullock, C.W., Dun, S.L., Dun, N., and Samson, W.K. (2013) A novel reproductive peptide, phoenixin. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 25(2): 206-215. PMID: 22963497.
Yosten, G.L.C., Redlinger, L.J., and Samson, W.K. (2012) Evidence for an interaction of neuronostatin with the orphan G protein coupled receptor GPR107. American Journal of Physiology, 303(9): R941-R949. PMID: 22933024.
Yosten, G.L.C., Redlinger, L.J., and Samson, W.K. (2012) Evidence for a role of endogenous nesfatin-1 in the control of water drinking. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 24(7):1078-84. PMID: 22375892.
Yosten, G.L.C., and Samson, W.K. (2012) Pressor doses of vasopressin result in only transient elevations in plasma peptide levels. Peptides, 33(2):342-5. PMID: 22227112.
Yosten, G.L.C., Pate, A.T., and Samson, W.K. (2011) Neuronostatin acts in brain to biphasically increase mean arterial pressure through sympatho-activation followed by vasopressin secretion: the role of melanocortin receptors. American Journal of Physiology, 300(5):R1194-9. PMID: 21325646.
Yosten, G.L.C., and Samson, W.K. (2010) The melanocortins, not oxytocin, mediate the anorexigenic and antidipsogenic effects of neuronostatin. Peptides, 31(9):1711-5. PMID: 20600426.
Yosten, G.L.C., and Samson, W.K. (2010) The anorexigenic and hypertensive effects of nesfatin-1 are reversed by pretreatment with an oxytocin receptor antagonist. American Journal of Physiology, 298(6):R1642-7. PMID: 20335376.
Yosten, G.L.C., and Samson, W.K. (2009) Nesfatin-1 exerts cardiovascular actions in brain: possible interaction with the central melanocortin system. American Journal of Physiology, 297(2):R330-6. PMID: 19474390.
Samson, W.K., Zhang, J.V., Avsian-Kretchmer, O., Cui, K., Yosten, G.L.C., Klein, C., Lyu, R., Wang, Y.X., Chen, X.Q., Yang, J., Price C.J., Hoyda, T.D., Ferguson, A.V., Yuan, X., Chang, J.K., Hsueh, A.J.W. (2008) Neuronostatin encoded by the somatostatin gene induces c-fos in brain/gut tissues and regulates neuronal and metabolic functions. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283(46):31949-59. PMID: 18753129.
Samson, W.K., Yosten, G. L. C., Chang, J.K., Ferguson, A.V., and White, M.M. (2008) Obestatin inhibits vasopressin secretion: evidence for a physiological action in the control of fluid homeostasis. Journal of Endocrinology, 196(3):559-64. PMID: 18310451.
Berkowitz, A., Yosten, G.L.C., and Ballard, R.M. (2006) Soma-dendritic morphology predicts physiology for neurons that contribute to several kinds of limb movements. Journal of Neurophysiology, 95(5):2821-31. PMID: 16452255.Honors and Awards
2001 Jane A. Quade Scholarship in Zoology (Univ of Oklahoma)
2002 Rita Lottinville Prize for Community Service and Scholarship (Univ of Oklahoma)
2003 Golden Key International Honor Society, New Member Award (Univ of Oklahoma)
2004 Phi Beta Kappa
2009 University of Missouri Cardiovascular Day Award Winner, Second Place
2009 APS Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Recognition Award
2010 Finalist, The Endocrine Society Presidential Poster Competition
2011 APS Mead Johnson Award in Endocrinology and Metabolism
2011 Glenn I. Hatton Award (World Congress on Neurohypophyseal Hormones)
2011 ADVANCE Future Faculty Workshop Selectee (NSF Sponsored Program)
2011 Gender Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease Travel Award (APS)
2012 APS Endocrinology and Metabolism Virendra B. Mahesh Award of Excellence in Endocrinology
2012 MARC Travel Award to attend the 2012 NIGMS Postdoc Workshop at the NIH
2012 University of Missouri Cardiovascular Day Poster Competition, First Place
2012 Endocrine Society Outstanding Abstract Award
2013 American Physiological Society IUPS Travel Award
2014 Star Reviewer, American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Phys
Editorial Boards
2012-present International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
2013-present American Journal of Neuroscience Research
Professional Organizations and Associations
Societal Memberships
American Physiological Society
American Heart Association
Endocrine Society
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Faculty of 1000, Contributing Faculty Member
Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
Golden Key International Honor Society
Societal Committees
2010-2013 American Physiological Society (APS) Science Policy Committee
2012-present American Physiological Society Joint Program Committee
2012-present FASEB Training Subcommittee
2013-present APS Endocrinology and Metabolism Section Steering Committee