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Trent J. Volz

Research Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Education and Training

B.S., 1997, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Chemistry with Biochemistry/Molecular Biology option

M.S., 2000, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Organic Chemistry

Ph.D., 2005, Washington State University, Analytical Chemistry

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2005-2007, University of Utah, Neuropharmacology

Research Interests

Dr. Volz received a B.S. in biochemistry and a M.S. in organic chemistry from the University of Alaska Fairbanks where his research focused on the natural products chemistry and chemical ecology underlying plant-herbivore interactions.  At Washington State University he then studied the bioorganic chemistry of Cytochrome P450 drug metabolism.  He went on to earn a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Washington State University where his research examined the interactions of both therapeutic drugs and drugs of abuse with the neuronal dopamine transporter.  As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Utah he investigated the neuropharmacology underlying methamphetamine neurotoxicity and methylphenidate neuroprotection.  Dr. Volz's current research interests include dopaminergic neurotransmission, transporter proteins, enzyme kinetics, bioanalyticalchemistry, neuropharmacology, and mechanisms of neurotoxicity and neuroprotection.

Research in our laboratory investigates the neuropharmacological effects of both therapeutic drugs and drugs of abuse on the vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2).  The VMAT-2 is a protein that transports cytoplasmic dopamine into synaptic vesicles inside neuronal cells for storage and subsequent release.  The VMAT-2 is the sole transporter protein responsible for sequestering cytoplasmic dopamine into vesicles and alterations in VMAT-2 function may thus regulate both intra- and extra-neuronal dopamine levels as well as dopaminergic neurotransmission.  The VMAT-2 also protects dopaminergic neurons from intracellular dopamine-associated oxidative damage which may be involved with both Parkinson's disease and methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity.  Studying the VMAT-2 can thus provide insight into the regulation of vesicular dopamine sequestration and may have important implications regarding the treatment of disorders involving abnormal dopamine neurotransmission including Parkinson's disease, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and substance abuse.

Our laboratory utilizes a variety of enzyme kinetics approaches to quantify VMAT-2-mediated dopamine transport and dopamine release in real-time.  High performance liquid chromatography is used to measure biogenic amine concentrations in the brain.  Western blotting techniques are employed to examine vesicle trafficking.  

Selected Publications

Volz TJ, Farnsworth SJ, Hanson GR, and Fleckenstein AE. Methylphenidate-Induced Alterations in Synaptic Vesicle Trafficking and Activity: Functional Consequences and Therapeutic Implications. Annal. New York Acad. Sci. - In Press.

Volz TJ, Farnsworth SJ, King JL, Riddle EL, Hanson GR, and Fleckenstein AE. Methylphenidate Administration Alters Vesicular Monoamine Transporter-2 Function in Cytoplasmic and Membrane-Associated Vesicles. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. (2007), 323, 738-745.

Bjorklund NL, Volz TJ, and Schenk JO. Differential Effects of Zn2+ on the Kinetics and Cocaine Inhibition of Dopamine Transport by the Human and Rat Dopamine Transporters. Eur. J. Pharmacol. (2007), 565, 17-25.

Volz TJ, Hanson, GR, and Fleckenstein AE. The Role of the Plasmalemmal Dopamine and Vesicular Monoamine Transporters in Methamphetamine-Induced Dopaminergic Deficits. J. Neurochem. (2007), 101, 883-888.

Volz TJ, Fleckenstein AE, and Hanson GR. Methamphetamine-Induced Alterations in Monoamine Transport: Implications for Neurotoxicity, Neuroprotection, and Treatment. Addiction (2007), 102(Suppl. 1), 44-48.

Fleckenstein AE, Volz TJ, Riddle EL, Gibb JW, and Hanson GR. New Insights into the Mechanism of Action of Amphetamines. Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. (2007), 47, 681-698.

Volz TJ, Hanson GR, and Fleckenstein AE. Kinetic Analysis of Developmental Changes in Vesicular Monoamine Transporter-2 Function. Synapse (2006), 60(6), 474-477.

Rau KS, Birdsall E, Volz TJ, Riordan JA, Baucum AJ II, Adair BP, Bitter R, Gibb JW, Hanson GR, and Fleckenstein AE. Methamphetamine Administration Reduces Hippocampal Vesicular Monoamine Transporter-2 Uptake. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. (2006), 318(2), 676-682.

Volz TJ, Hanson GR, and Fleckenstein AE. Measurement of Kinetically Resolved Vesicular Dopamine Uptake and Efflux using Rotating Disk Electrode Voltammetry. J. Neurosci. Methods (2006), 155(1), 109-115.

Volz TJ and Schenk JO. A Comprehensive Atlas of the Topography of Functional Groups of the Dopamine Transporter. Synapse (2005), 58(2), 72-94.

Volz TJ, Bjorklund NL, and Schenk JO. Methylphenidate Analogs with Behavioral Differences Interact Differently with Arginine Residues on the Dopamine Transporter in Rat Striatum. Synapse (2005), 57(3), 175-178.

Robinson DL, Volz TJ, Schenk JO, and Wightman RM. Acute Ethanol Decreases Dopamine Transporter Velocity in Rat Striatum: in vivo and in vitro Electrochemical Measurements. Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. (2005), 29(5), 746-755.

Volz TJ and Schenk JO. L-Arginine Increases Dopamine Transporter Activity in Rat Striatum via a Nitric Oxide Synthase-Dependent Mechanism. Synapse (2004), 54(3), 173-182.

Volz TJ, Kim M, and Schenk JO. Covalent and Non-Covalent Chemical Modifications of Arginine Residues Decrease Dopamine Transporter Activity. Synapse (2004), 52(4), 272-282.

Volz TJ, Rock DA, and Jones JP. Evidence for Two Different Active Oxygen Species in Cytochrome P450 BM3 Mediated Sulfoxidation and N-Dealkylation Reactions. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2002), 124(33), 9724-9725.

Volz TJ and Clausen TP. Tannins in Puccinellia arctica: Possible Deterrents to Herbivory by Canada Geese. J. Chem. Ecol. (2001), 27(4), 725-732.

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