Dr. John O. OLANLOKUN

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Resume

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Research

Current Research and Capacity Building Projects including Grants

Title: Mitochondrial dynamics by resistant Plasmodium berghei infection and the role of modiaquine chemotherapy in mice
Funder:
Mitochondrial dynamics is crucial in the regulation of cell homeostasis especially in infectious disease state such as malaria. Malaria is one of the most widespread infectious disease in the tropics with high fatality due to the resistance of the infectious parasites to drugs. The clinical symptoms begins when the merozoite is clinically diagnosed in the blood and include fever and organ failure. Metabolic signs of Plasmodium infection includes bioenergetics stress and altered energy metabolism in the host mitochondria. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles whose outer and inner membranes continuously undergo fusion and fission events due to the activities of some of their proteins.. These fusion and fission are mediated by distinct proteins such as Mitofusin 1, Mitofusin 2 and Optic Atrophy 1. Mitofusin 1 recruits dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP-1) and it forms a multiple subunit band around the mitochondria, leading to fission. Mfn1/2 connects inner and outer mitochondria membranes while OPA 1 fuses the inner membrane. Both fusion and fission brings about mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy which balances biogenesis. Transcription Factor A mitochondria (Tfam) plays a role in maintaining the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and transcription. PGC-1α increase mitochondrial respiration and energetic capacity for ATP synthesis. The PINK-Parkin pathway is the most well described mechanism for mitophagy. Information provided in this study will describe the short and long-term suitability of some orthodox drugs in malaria chemotherapy.
Role: Principal Investigator
Collaborators:
1. Neil Anthony Koorbanally
School of Chemistry and Physics, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa.
2. Geinhard Prinsloo
Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida Campus, Florida, 1710, South Africa
3. Paul Steenkamp
Research Centre for Plant Metabolomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa

Completed Research

Mefloquine and curcumin combinations blunt Aquaporin-3, MAPK, FIKK12, modulate glycolytic processes and mitochondrial respiration in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice

Malaria parasites have complex mitochondrial metabolism connected to oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, the high metabolic demand turns glycolysis into an essential energy generating process. These parasites are aerobic glycolytic organisms with a modified TCA mainly fueled by glutamine and glutamate and low OXPHOS. In essence, survival of parasites in the host will depend largely on the regulation of host glycolysis. Mefloquine is an established drug for malaria treatment. The effects of mefloquine on the expression of FIKK, aquaporin-3, MAPK proteins and oxidative phosphorylation via the expression of some electron transport proteins and the modulatory roles of curcumin in these processes have not been reported. We hypothesized therefore, that mefloquine’s multiple molecular mechanistic role as an antiplasmodial agent involves serine/threonine kinase inhibition and aquaporin-3 gene silencing. This study will provide information on the role of curcumin on host mitochondrial respiration, glycolysis, signaling through the MAPK pathway, and antioxidant status in both susceptible and resistant malaria using Plasmodium bergheias the causative agent.

Publications

Supervision

SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS (Selected)

CURRENT STUDENTS

MastersLevel: Four students

Doctoral Level: Two students

Fellowship Level: Nil

PREVIOUS STUDENTS (Selected)

MastersLevel

Student’s name: BALOGUN, FolashadeAbimbola
Project title: Chemotherapeutic and prophylactic antimalarial drugs induce cell death through mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in murine models.
Examining Body: Post-graduate School, University of Ibadan.
Year of Completion: 2018.

Student’s name: BALOGUN, AbayomiAdisa
Project title: Regulated rutin co-administration reverses mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.
Examining Body: Post-graduate School, University of Ibadan.
Year of Completion: 2019.

Student’s name: EKUNDAYO, Mercy Toluwase
Project title: Antimalarial and erythrocyte membrane stability properties of Globimetulabraunii leaves (Engle van Tiegh) growing on cocoa in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.
Examining Body: Post-graduate School, University of Ibadan.
Year of Completion: 2019.

Student’s name: OKORO Praise Oghenegare
Project title: Betulinic acid purified from Alstoniaboonei inhibits folate biosynthesis in malarial Plasmodium, enhances mitochondrial pore opening and F1F0 ATPase in mice
Examining Body: Post-graduate School, University of Ibadan.
Year of Completion: 2021.

Student’s name: ABIODUN, Wisdom Oshireku
Project title: Curcumin modulates multiple cell death responses, matrix metalloproteinase activation and cardiac protein release in susceptible and resistant Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Examining Body: Post-graduate School, University of Ibadan.
Year of Completion: 2021.

Doctoral level

Student’s name: BABARINDE, CECILIA Opeyemi
Project title: Molecular mechanism of antiplasmodial actions of natural products purified from Phyllanthusamarus.
Examining Body: Post-graduate School, University of Ibadan.
Year of Completion: In view.

Student’s name: OLOKE, Oluwakemi Marvellous
Project title: Molecular mechanism of antiplasmodial actions and mitochondrial dynamics of compounds purified from Funtumiaelastica
Examining Body: Post-graduate School, University of Ibadan.
Year of Completion: In view.

Grants

Not Available

Social Media Handle

Other Interests/Hobbies

I have vested interest in nature and what it promises to give. I am keenly interested in taking care of animals and like watching animal documentaries and sports. I am also interested in farming and keep a small orchard. My hobby isdraught board game.