Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo, PhD
Research & Publications
Biography
Research Summary
Ion channel biophysicist and molecular neuroscientist with interests in channelopathies, pharmacology, membrane physiology, and disease mechanisms.
Research Pages: Google Scholar, Research Gate
Extensive Research Description
I specialize in the fields of ion channels and cannabinoid pharmacology. My work has played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the inhibitory effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) on voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav channels). Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed scientists from academic and industry sectors around the world, resulting in significant discoveries.
Together with my collaborators, we have employed state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies, including patch-clamp electrophysiology, X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and computational modelling, among others, to investigate the interactions between cannabinoids and various ion channels, with a specific focus on Nav channels.
Our research efforts have provided valuable insights into the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of CBD and CBG in addressing disorders of excitability through Nav channels. In a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry in 2018, we provided the first detailed description of CBD effects on Nav channels. We demonstrated that CBD inhibits Nav currents, suggesting potential anticonvulsant properties at relevant concentrations that could be partially dependent on Nav channels. Building upon this, our study published in the Journal of General Physiology in 2021 revealed that CBD's Nav inhibition occurs through multiple mechanisms, including pore block and alterations in membrane elasticity. In 2020, we further supported the activity at the channel pore level through a crystal structure published in eLife.
In 2022, our research expanded to investigate the effects of CBG, another phytocannabinoid, on Nav channels. Published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, our study demonstrated that CBG inhibits Nav channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons, contributing to neuronal hypoexcitability and its potential implications for pain.
Parallel to my contributions to cannabinoid pharmacology, in 2023, my colleagues and I at Yale developed a powerful high-throughput method, as published in Cell Reports Methods. This innovative approach allows for the functional definition of populations of freshly isolated neurons, revolutionizing the analysis of excitable cells and significantly enhancing the throughput and efficiency of patch-clamp techniques.
Currently, I am actively pursuing my research interests in the field of molecular neuroscience, with a particular emphasis on ion channel biophysics and pharmacology.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Biophysics; Electrophysiology; Ion Channels; Neurosciences; Pharmacology
Selected Publications
- Editorial: Cannabinoid interactions with ion channels, receptors, and the bio-membraneGhovanloo M, Arnold J, Ruben P. Editorial: Cannabinoid interactions with ion channels, receptors, and the bio-membrane Frontiers In Physiology 2023, 14: 1211230. PMID: 37228821, PMCID: PMC10203607, DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1211230.
- Nav1.7 P610T mutation in two siblings with persistent ocular pain after corneal axon transection: impaired slow inactivation and hyperexcitable trigeminal neuronsGhovanloo M, Effraim P, Yuan J, Schulman B, Jacobs D, Dib-Hajj S, Waxman S. Nav1.7 P610T mutation in two siblings with persistent ocular pain after corneal axon transection: impaired slow inactivation and hyperexcitable trigeminal neurons Journal Of Neurophysiology 2023, 129: 609-618. PMID: 36722722, PMCID: PMC9988530, DOI: 10.1152/jn.00457.2022.
- High-throughput combined voltage-clamp/current-clamp analysis of freshly isolated neuronsGhovanloo M, Tyagi S, Zhao P, Kiziltug E, Estacion M, Dib-Hajj S, Waxman S. High-throughput combined voltage-clamp/current-clamp analysis of freshly isolated neurons Cell Reports Methods 2023, 3: 100385. PMID: 36814833, PMCID: PMC9939380, DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100385.
- Non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid interactions with voltage-gated sodium channels: An update on cannabidiol and cannabigerolGhovanloo M, Dib-Hajj S, Goodchild S, Ruben P, Waxman S. Non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid interactions with voltage-gated sodium channels: An update on cannabidiol and cannabigerol Frontiers In Physiology 2022, 13: 1066455. PMCID: PMC9691960, DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1066455.
- Cannabidiol increases gramicidin current in human embryonic kidney cells: An observational studyGhovanloo MR, Goodchild SJ, Ruben PC. Cannabidiol increases gramicidin current in human embryonic kidney cells: An observational study PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0271801. PMID: 35913948, PMCID: PMC9342711, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271801.
- Late sodium current: incomplete inactivation triggers seizures, myotonias, arrhythmias, and pain syndromesFouda MA, Ghovanloo M, Ruben PC. Late sodium current: incomplete inactivation triggers seizures, myotonias, arrhythmias, and pain syndromes The Journal Of Physiology 2022, 600: 2835-2851. PMID: 35436004, DOI: 10.1113/jp282768.
- Inhibition of sodium conductance by cannabigerol contributes to a reduction of dorsal root ganglion neuron excitabilityGhovanloo M, Estacion M, Higerd‐Rusli G, Zhao P, Dib‐Hajj S, Waxman SG. Inhibition of sodium conductance by cannabigerol contributes to a reduction of dorsal root ganglion neuron excitability British Journal Of Pharmacology 2022, 179: 4010-4030. PMID: 35297036, DOI: 10.1111/bph.15833.
- Cannabidiol and Sodium Channel Pharmacology: General Overview, Mechanism, and Clinical ImplicationsGhovanloo MR, Ruben PC. Cannabidiol and Sodium Channel Pharmacology: General Overview, Mechanism, and Clinical Implications The Neuroscientist 2021, 28: 318-334. PMID: 34027742, PMCID: PMC9344566, DOI: 10.1177/10738584211017009.
- Cannabidiol inhibits the skeletal muscle Nav1.4 by blocking its pore and by altering membrane elasticityGhovanloo MR, Choudhury K, Bandaru TS, Fouda MA, Rayani K, Rusinova R, Phaterpekar T, Nelkenbrecher K, Watkins AR, Poburko D, Thewalt J, Andersen OS, Delemotte L, Goodchild SJ, Ruben PC. Cannabidiol inhibits the skeletal muscle Nav1.4 by blocking its pore and by altering membrane elasticity The Journal Of General Physiology 2021, 153: e202012701. PMID: 33836525, PMCID: PMC8042605, DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202012701.
- Biophysical Characterization of a Novel SCN5A Mutation Associated With an Atypical Phenotype of Atrial and Ventricular Arrhythmias and Sudden DeathGhovanloo MR, Atallah J, Escudero CA, Ruben PC. Biophysical Characterization of a Novel SCN5A Mutation Associated With an Atypical Phenotype of Atrial and Ventricular Arrhythmias and Sudden Death Frontiers In Physiology 2020, 11: 610436. PMID: 33414724, PMCID: PMC7783455, DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.610436.
- Cannabidiol interactions with voltage-gated sodium channelsSait LG, Sula A, Ghovanloo MR, Hollingworth D, Ruben PC, Wallace B. Cannabidiol interactions with voltage-gated sodium channels ELife 2020, 9: e58593. PMID: 33089780, PMCID: PMC7641581, DOI: 10.7554/elife.58593.
- Cannabidiol protects against high glucose‐induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in cardiac voltage‐gated sodium channelsFouda MA, Ghovanloo M, Ruben PC. Cannabidiol protects against high glucose‐induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in cardiac voltage‐gated sodium channels British Journal Of Pharmacology 2020, 177: 2932-2946. PMID: 32077098, PMCID: PMC7279989, DOI: 10.1111/bph.15020.
- Say Cheese: Structure of the Cardiac Electrical Engine Is CapturedGhovanloo MR, Ruben PC. Say Cheese: Structure of the Cardiac Electrical Engine Is Captured Trends In Biochemical Sciences 2020, 45: 369-371. PMID: 32311330, DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.02.003.
- Inhibitory effects of cannabidiol on voltage-dependent sodium currentsGhovanloo MR, Shuart NG, Mezeyova J, Dean RA, Ruben PC, Goodchild SJ. Inhibitory effects of cannabidiol on voltage-dependent sodium currents Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2018, 293: 16546-16558. PMID: 30219789, PMCID: PMC6204917, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004929.
- A Mixed Periodic Paralysis & Myotonia Mutant, P1158S, Imparts pH-Sensitivity in Skeletal Muscle Voltage-gated Sodium ChannelsGhovanloo MR, Abdelsayed M, Peters CH, Ruben PC. A Mixed Periodic Paralysis & Myotonia Mutant, P1158S, Imparts pH-Sensitivity in Skeletal Muscle Voltage-gated Sodium Channels Scientific Reports 2018, 8: 6304. PMID: 29674667, PMCID: PMC5908869, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24719-y.
- pH Modulation of Voltage-Gated Sodium ChannelsPeters CH, Ghovanloo MR, Gershome C, Ruben PC. pH Modulation of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels 2018, 246: 147-160. PMID: 29460150, DOI: 10.1007/164_2018_99.
- Effects of acidosis on neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels: Nav1.1 and Nav1.3Ghovanloo MR, Peters CH, Ruben PC. Effects of acidosis on neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels: Nav1.1 and Nav1.3 Channels 2018, 12: 367-377. PMID: 30362397, PMCID: PMC6284583, DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2018.1539611.
- Chapter Fifteen Physiology and Pathophysiology of Sodium Channel InactivationGhovanloo MR, Aimar K, Ghadiry-Tavi R, Yu A, Ruben PC. Chapter Fifteen Physiology and Pathophysiology of Sodium Channel Inactivation 2016, 78: 479-509. PMID: 27586293, DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctm.2016.04.001.
- Effects of Amiodarone and N-desethylamiodarone on Cardiac Voltage-Gated Sodium ChannelsGhovanloo MR, Abdelsayed M, Ruben PC. Effects of Amiodarone and N-desethylamiodarone on Cardiac Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels Frontiers In Pharmacology 2016, 7: 39. PMID: 26973526, PMCID: PMC4771766, DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00039.