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Lester M. Partlow

Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Education and Training

B.S., 1964, Johns Hopkins University

Ph.D., 1969, Johns Hopkins University

Postdoctoral Fellow, 1969-1970, Johns Hopkins University

Postdoctoral Fellow, 1970-1972, Washington University School of Medicine

Research Interests

My general research interests include neurochemistry, neuropharmacology, neurophysiology, and developmental neurobiology. Present research involves electrophysiological examination of specific voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels in neuronal cells using both whole-cell and single-channel techniques. A computer-controlled single electrode voltage or current clamp system is used for data acquisition. The effects of neuroactive drugs such as tetrahydrocannabinol on voltage-gated sodium, potassium, and calcium currents are being examined electrophysiologically in several neuron-like cell lines including neuroblastoma N1E-115 and PC-12 cells. A fluorometric assay that will allow simultaneous quantification of ion concentrations in multiple neurons is being developed and also will be used to study the effects of neuroactive drugs. Other areas of interest involve the mechanisms regulating the ontogeny of voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels and the possible involvement of such channels in the growth of axonal processes.

Selected Publications

Partlow, L.M., Hanson, G.R., and Iversen, P.L., Regulation of the proliferation of embryonic chick leptomeningeal cells in vitro by both contact inhibition and co-culture with CNS neurons. In Special Issue on Growth and Trophic Factors, J. Neuroscience Research, 8, 523-534, 1983.

Turkanis, S. A., Partlow, L. M., and Karler, R., The effects of amphetamine on neuro-muscular transmission in the lobster. Neuropharmacology, 27, 1221-1225, 1988.

Turkanis, S. A., Partlow, L. M., and Karler, R., Effects of cocaine on neuromuscular transmission in the lobster. Neuropharmacology, 28, 971-975, 1989.

Partlow, L. M., Karler, R., and Turkanis, S. A., Whole-cell voltage-clamp study of sodium current in neuroblastoma cells: effects of inhibition of neurite outgrowth by colchicine. Brain Research, 530, 102-104, 1990.

Turkanis, S. A., Partlow, L. M., and Karler, R., Delta-9-tetra-hydrocannabinol depresses inward sodium current in mouse neuroblastoma cells. Neuropharmacology, 30, 73-77, 1991.

Turkanis, S. A., Karler, R., and Partlow, L. M., Differential effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its 11-hydroxy metabolite on sodium current in neuroblastoma cells. Brain Research, 560, 245-250, 1991.

Pharmacology & Toxicology   College of Pharmacy   30 S. 2000 E., Rm 201, SLC  UT 84112  phone: 801-581-6287  fax: 801-585-5111 phtx@pharm.utah.edu