James G Dobson HD
Title Professor Emeritus
Institution University of Massachusetts Medical School
Department Microbiology & Physiological Systems
Address University of Massachusetts Medical School
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester MA 01655
Telephone 508-856-3775
Other Positions
Institution UMMS - School of Medicine
Department Medicine
Division Cardiovascular Medicine
Narrative


Academic Background

1965, B.S., Central Connecticut State University
1967, M.A., Wesleyan University
1971, Ph.D., University of Virginia

2008 - 2010, Professor & Interim Chairman of Physiology

2011 - Professor Emeritus

 



Regulation of neurotransmitter signal transduction in the heart

The research in this laboratory is concerned with investigating transmembrane signaling and the mechanisms which regulate cardiac muscle force development and  myocardial energy utilization. Emphasis isJim Dobson Photo given to the importance of adenosinergic modulation of the regulatory mechanisms particularly upon beta-adrenoceptor stimulation. The importance of the phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of proteins involved in the regulatory processes is a keen area of interest. Of additional interest is the role of adenosine in endothelial cell proliferation, aging of the cardiovascular system and heart failure. Mainly, isolated perfused hearts, dispersed ventricular myocytes and cultured endothelial cells are used in these studies.

The main emphasis is that by using current biochemical and molecular approaches and techniques the physiological mechanisms regulating cardiac mechanical performance and metabolism can be elucidated in the normal heart. This will foster a better understanding of how these neuro-regulatory mechanisms are altered in the diseased and aging cells that comprise the cardiovasculary system.

Research Figure

Adenosine and the Catecholamine Responses in Heart

Research Figure

    A scheme illustrating that any one of the following: catacholamine stimulation of the heart, myocardial ischemia and adult heart aging, increases the concentration of myocardial adenosine. The increased adenosine in turn reduces the Beta-adrenergic induced increases in the myocardial chronotropic, inotropic and glycogenolytic responses of the heart and enhances coronary blood flow.
Publications
1. Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Reduced adenosine release from the aged mammalian heart. J Cell Physiol. 2012 Nov; 227(11):3709-14.
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2. Komatsu S, Dobson JG, Ikebe M, Shea LG, Fenton RA. Crosstalk between adenosine A(1) and ß(1) -adrenergic receptors regulates translocation of PKCe in isolated rat cardiomyocytes. J Cell Physiol. 2012 Sep; 227(9):3201-7.
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3. Fenton RA, Shea LG, Doddi C, Dobson JG. Myocardial adenosine A(1)-receptor-mediated adenoprotection involves phospholipase C, PKC-epsilon, and p38 MAPK, but not HSP27. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2010 Jun; 298(6):H1671-8.
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4. Fenton RA, Komatsu S, Ikebe M, Shea LG, Dobson JG. Adenoprotection of the heart involves phospholipase C-induced activation and translocation of PKC-epsilon to RACK2 in adult rat and mouse. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2009 Aug; 297(2):H718-25.
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5. Dobson JG, Shea LG, Fenton RA. Adenosine A2A and beta-adrenergic calcium transient and contractile responses in rat ventricular myocytes. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2008 Dec; 295(6):H2364-72.
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6. Tikh EI, Fenton RA, Chen JF, Schwarzschild MA, Dobson JG. Adenosine A1 and A2A receptor regulation of protein phosphatase 2A in the murine heart. J Cell Physiol. 2008 Jul; 216(1):83-90.
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7. Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Adenosine A1 and A2A receptor effects on G-protein cycling in beta-adrenergic stimulated ventricular membranes. J Cell Physiol. 2007 Dec; 213(3):785-92.
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8. Knott TK, Marrero HG, Fenton RA, Custer EE, Dobson JG, Lemos JR. Endogenous adenosine inhibits CNS terminal Ca(2+) currents and exocytosis. J Cell Physiol. 2007 Feb; 210(2):309-14.
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9. Tikh EI, Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Contractile effects of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in isolated murine hearts. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2006 Jan; 290(1):H348-56.
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10. Fenton RA, Dickson EW, Dobson JG. Inhibition of phosphatase activity enhances preconditioning and limits cell death in the ischemic/reperfused aged rat heart. Life Sci. 2005 Nov 12; 77(26):3375-88.
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11. Lorbar M, Chung ES, Nabi A, Skalova K, Fenton RA, Dobson JG, Meyer TE. Receptors subtypes involved in adenosine-mediated modulation of norepinephrine release from cardiac nerve terminals. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2004 Nov; 82(11):1026-31.
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12. Miyazaki K, Komatsu S, Ikebe M, Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Protein kinase Cepsilon and the antiadrenergic action of adenosine in rat ventricular myocytes. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2004 Oct; 287(4):H1721-9.
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13. Dobson JG, Fray J, Leonard JL, Pratt RE. Molecular mechanisms of reduced beta-adrenergic signaling in the aged heart as revealed by genomic profiling. Physiol Genomics. 2003 Oct 17; 15(2):142-7.
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14. Dobson JG, Shea LG, Fenton RA. Beta-adrenergic and antiadrenergic modulation of cardiac adenylyl cyclase is influenced by phosphorylation. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2003 Oct; 285(4):H1471-8.
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15. Reisert PS, Dobson JG, Fenton RA. Anoxia-induced changes in purine nucleoside metabolism of in vitro aged human fibroblasts. Life Sci. 2002 Feb 8; 70(12):1369-82.
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16. Meyer TE, Chung ES, Perlini S, Norton GR, Woodiwiss AJ, Lorbar M, Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Antiadrenergic effects of adenosine in pressure overload hypertrophy. Hypertension. 2001 Mar; 37(3):862-8.
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17. Monahan TS, Sawmiller DR, Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Adenosine A(2a)-receptor activation increases contractility in isolated perfused hearts. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2000 Oct; 279(4):H1472-81.
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18. Li J, Garnette CS, Cahn M, Claytor RB, Rohrer MJ, Dobson JG, Gerlitz B, Cutler BS. Recombinant thrombomodulin inhibits arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by thrombin. J Vasc Surg. 2000 Oct; 32(4):804-13.
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19. Lorbar M, Skalova K, Nabi A, Chung ES, Fenton RA, Dobson JG, Meyer TE. Norepinephrine concentrations in the epicardial transudate reflect early changes in adrenergic activity in the isolated perfused heart. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2000 Sep; 32(9):1695-701.
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20. Fenton RA, Dickson EW, Meyer TE, Dobson JG. Aging reduces the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning in the rat heart. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2000 Jul; 32(7):1371-5.
  View in: PubMed
 
21. Lorbar M, Fenton RA, Dobson JG. ATP as a source of interstitial adenosine in the rat heart. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1999 Aug; 77(8):579-88.
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22. Woodiwiss AJ, Honeyman TW, Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Adenosine A2a-receptor activation enhances cardiomyocyte shortening via Ca2+-independent and -dependent mechanisms. Am J Physiol. 1999 May; 276(5 Pt 2):H1434-41.
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23. Norton GR, Woodiwiss AJ, McGinn RJ, Lorbar M, Chung ES, Honeyman TW, Fenton RA, Dobson JG, Meyer TE. Adenosine A1 receptor-mediated antiadrenergic effects are modulated by A2a receptor activation in rat heart. Am J Physiol. 1999 Feb; 276(2 Pt 2):H341-9.
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24. Lorbar M, Fenton RA, Duffy AJ, Graybill CA, Dobson JG. Effect of aging on myocardial adenosine production, adenosine uptake and adenosine kinase activity in rats. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1999 Feb; 31(2):401-12.
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25. Chung ES, Perlini S, Aurigemma GP, Fenton RA, Dobson JG, Meyer TE. Effects of chronic adenosine uptake blockade on adrenergic responsiveness and left ventricular chamber function in pressure overload hypertrophy in the rat. J Hypertens. 1998 Dec; 16(12 Pt 1):1813-22.
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26. Li J, Fenton RA, Wheeler HB, Powell CC, Peyton BD, Cutler BS, Dobson JG. Adenosine A2a receptors increase arterial endothelial cell nitric oxide. J Surg Res. 1998 Dec; 80(2):357-64.
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27. Perlini S, Khoury EP, Norton GR, Chung ES, Fenton RA, Dobson JG, Meyer TE. Adenosine mediates sustained adrenergic desensitization in the rat heart via activation of protein kinase C. Circ Res. 1998 Oct 5; 83(7):761-71.
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28. Sawmiller DR, Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Myocardial adenosine A1-receptor sensitivity during juvenile and adult stages of maturation. Am J Physiol. 1998 Feb; 274(2 Pt 2):H627-35.
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29. Dobson JG, Fenton RA. Adenosine A2 receptor function in rat ventricular myocytes. Cardiovasc Res. 1997 May; 34(2):337-47.
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30. Ethier MF, Dobson JG. Adenosine stimulation of DNA synthesis in human endothelial cells. Am J Physiol. 1997 Mar; 272(3 Pt 2):H1470-9.
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31. Dobson JG, Fenton RA, Sawmiller DR. The contractile response of the ventricular myocardium to adenosine A1 and A2 receptor stimulation. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1996 Sep 30; 793:64-73.
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32. Sawmiller DR, Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Myocardial adenosine A1 and A2 receptor activities during juvenile and adult stages of development. Am J Physiol. 1996 Jul; 271(1 Pt 2):H235-43.
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33. Romano FD, Dobson JG. Adenosine attenuation of isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity is enhanced with aging in the adult heart. Life Sci. 1996; 58(6):493-502.
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34. Fenton RA, Galeckas KJ, Dobson JG. Endogenous adenosine reduces depression of cardiac function induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation during low flow perfusion. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1995 Oct; 27(10):2373-83.
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35. Li JM, Fenton RA, Cutler BS, Dobson JG. Adenosine enhances nitric oxide production by vascular endothelial cells. Am J Physiol. 1995 Aug; 269(2 Pt 1):C519-23.
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36. Dobson JG, Fenton RA. Adenosine inhibition of beta-adrenergic induced responses in aged hearts. Am J Physiol. 1993 Aug; 265(2 Pt 2):H494-503.
  View in: PubMed
 
37. Ethier MF, Chander V, Dobson JG. Adenosine stimulates proliferation of human endothelial cells in culture. Am J Physiol. 1993 Jul; 265(1 Pt 2):H131-8.
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38. Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Hypoxia enhances isoproterenol-induced increase in heart interstitial adenosine, depressing beta-adrenergic contractile responses. Circ Res. 1993 Mar; 72(3):571-8.
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39. Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Fluorometric quantitation of adenosine concentration in small samples of extracellular fluid. Anal Biochem. 1992 Nov 15; 207(1):134-41.
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40. George EE, Dobson JG. Lack of oscillations in cyclic AMP, cAMP-protein kinase and glycogen phosphorylase during the cardiac cycle in perfused rat hearts. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1992 May; 24(5):477-84.
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41. Ethier MF, Medeiros M, Romano FD, Dobson JG. Mechanism of enhanced cyclic AMP stimulation by isoproterenol in aged human fibroblasts. Exp Gerontol. 1992; 27(3):287-300.
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42. Fenton RA, Moore ED, Fay FS, Dobson JG. Adenosine reduces the Ca2+ transients of isoproterenol-stimulated rat ventricular myocytes. Am J Physiol. 1991 Dec; 261(6 Pt 1):C1107-14.
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43. George EE, Romano FD, Dobson JG. Adenosine and acetylcholine reduce isoproterenol-induced protein phosphorylation of rat myocytes. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1991 Jun; 23(6):749-64.
  View in: PubMed
 
44. Romano FD, Naimi TS, Dobson JG. Adenosine attenuation of catecholamine-enhanced contractility of rat heart in vivo. Am J Physiol. 1991 May; 260(5 Pt 2):H1635-9.
  View in: PubMed
 
45. Romano FD, Dobson JG. Adenosine modulates beta-adrenergic signal transduction in guinea-pig heart ventricular membranes. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1990 Dec; 22(12):1359-70.
  View in: PubMed
 
46. Dobson JG, Fenton RA, Romano FD. Increased myocardial adenosine production and reduction of beta-adrenergic contractile response in aged hearts. Circ Res. 1990 May; 66(5):1381-90.
  View in: PubMed
 
47. Fenton RA, Tsimikas S, Dobson JG. Influence of beta-adrenergic stimulation and contraction frequency on rat heart interstitial adenosine. Circ Res. 1990 Feb; 66(2):457-68.
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48. Ethier MF, Hickler RB, Dobson JG. Aging increases adenosine and inosine release by human fibroblast cultures. Mech Ageing Dev. 1989 Nov; 50(2):159-68.
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49. Romano FD, MacDonald SG, Dobson JG. Adenosine receptor coupling to adenylate cyclase of rat ventricular myocyte membranes. Am J Physiol. 1989 Oct; 257(4 Pt 2):H1088-95.
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50. Romano FD, Fenton RA, Dobson JG. The adenosine Ri agonist, phenylisopropyladenosine, reduces high affinity isoproterenol binding to the beta-adrenergic receptor of rat myocardial membranes. Second Messengers Phosphoproteins. 1988; 12(1):29-43.
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51. Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Measurement by fluorescence of interstitial adenosine levels in normoxic, hypoxic, and ischemic perfused rat hearts. Circ Res. 1987 Feb; 60(2):177-84.
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52. Dobson JG, Fenton RA, Romano FD. The cardiac anti-adrenergic effect of adenosine. Prog Clin Biol Res. 1987; 230:331-43.
  View in: PubMed
 
53. Dobson JG, Ordway RW, Fenton RA. Endogenous adenosine inhibits catecholamine contractile responses in normoxic hearts. Am J Physiol. 1986 Aug; 251(2 Pt 2):H455-62.
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54. Murray JJ, Reed PW, Dobson JG. Biochemical changes accompanying enhanced cardiac contractility by ionophore A23187. Am J Physiol. 1985 Dec; 249(6 Pt 2):H1204-10.
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55. Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Nicotine increases heart adenosine release, oxygen consumption, and contractility. Am J Physiol. 1985 Sep; 249(3 Pt 2):H463-9.
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56. LaMonica DA, Frohloff N, Dobson JG. Adenosine inhibition of catecholamine-stimulated cardiac membrane adenylate cyclase. Am J Physiol. 1985 May; 248(5 Pt 2):H737-44.
  View in: PubMed
 
57. Dobson JG, Schrader J. Role of extracellular and intracellular adenosine in the attenuation of catecholamine evoked responses in guinea pig heart. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1984 Sep; 16(9):813-22.
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58. Fenton RA, Dobson JG. Adenosine and calcium alter adrenergic-induced intact heart protein phosphorylation. Am J Physiol. 1984 Apr; 246(4 Pt 2):H559-65.
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59. Dobson JG. Adenosine reduces catecholamine contractile responses in oxygenated and hypoxic atria. Am J Physiol. 1983 Sep; 245(3):H468-74.
  View in: PubMed
 
60. Dobson JG. Interaction between adenosine and inotropic interventions in guinea pig atria. Am J Physiol. 1983 Sep; 245(3):H475-80.
  View in: PubMed
 
61. Dobson JG. Mechanism of adenosine inhibition of catecholamine-induced responses in heart. Circ Res. 1983 Feb; 52(2):151-60.
  View in: PubMed
 
62. Dobson JG. The effect of acetylcholine, ischemia, and anoxia on rat heart purine cyclic nucleotides and contractility. Circ Res. 1981 Oct; 49(4):912-22.
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63. Dobson JG. Catecholamine-induced phosphorylation of cardiac muscle proteins. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1981 Jun 11; 675(1):123-31.
  View in: PubMed
 
64. Rockoff JB, Dobson JG. Inhibition by adenosine of catecholamine-induced increase in rat atrial contractility. Am J Physiol. 1980 Sep; 239(3):H365-70.
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65. Dobson JG. Reduction by adenosine of the isoproterenol-induced increase in cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate formation and glycogen phosphorylase activity in rat heart muscle. Circ Res. 1978 Nov; 43(5):785-92.
  View in: PubMed
 
66. Mayer SE, Dobson JG, Ingebretsen WR, Becker E, Brown JH, Friedman WF, Ross J. Ionic regulation of signal transfer from adrenergic receptors in cardiac muscle. Adv Cyclic Nucleotide Res. 1978; 9:305-14.
  View in: PubMed
 
67. Henry PD, Dobson JG, Sobel BE. Dissociations between changes in myocardial cyclic adenosine monophosphate and contractility. Circ Res. 1975 Mar; 36(3):392-400.
  View in: PubMed
 
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Keyword
Last Name
Institution
    
 
 
 
Keywords   
Adenosine
Myocardium
Myocardial Contraction
Receptors, Adrenergic, beta
Receptor, Adenosine A1
See all (252) keywords
Co-Authors  
Cutler, Bruce
Honeyman, Thomas
Ikebe, Mitsuo
Komatsu, Satoshi
Meyer, Theo
See all (11) people
Physical Neighbors  
Jacobson, Allan
He, Feng
Goguen, Jon
Xie, Jun
Bao, Rongfeng

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