Niloofar Tabatabai, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Medicine (Endocrinology)
Education: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, B.S.,University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Ph.D.,Blood Research Institute, Post-doc
Link to Endocrinology Click here to view published articles NIH BIOSKETCH
I study the molecular expression and regulation of the kidney sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs). SGLT isoforms are expressed on the apical portion of the kidney proximal tubule (PT) cells and are responsible for the re-absorption of glucose from the glomerular filtrate back to the blood. SGLT2 isoform is a low-affinity high-capacity transporter which is located in the early segments of the PT, and is considered the major glucose transporter of the kidney. SGLT1 is a high-affinity low-capacity transporter which is located in the later segments of the PT and has a role in glucose scavenging. In addition, I have shown the mRNA expression of a new member of SGLT family, SGLT3, in the kidney; however, the functional role of renal SGLT3 is not known. Currently, I have three research projects: (1) Characterization of changes in the SGLT1 and SGLT2 expressions in response to diabetes, (2) Mechanism of transcriptional down-regulation of SGLT1 and SGLT2 in response to the nephrotoxic metal cadmium (3) Identification of SGLT3's role in the kidney.
Photos: (top left) Amy Blodgett, Research Technologist (Right) Raj Kothinti, Research Technologist, (below) Dr. Tabatabai, Ivan Kamyshko and Amy Blodgett