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Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Goto Research Group

Areas of Research

The Goto laboratory is focused on three major projects using fruit flies and human neuronal cultures to investigate neuronal function, oxidative stress and protein-protein interaction using biochemical, electrophysiological and locomotor behavioral methods. In particular the neurodegenerative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-Parkinsonism dementia complex (ALS-PDC), Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease are investigated using fruit flies as a model system, human neuronal cultures are studied to elucidate protein-protein interactions using immunofluorescence and FRET microscoy, and oxidative stress in fruit flies and neurons are measured using traditional biochemical assays.

Recent Publications (for a complete list of publications)

(g = graduate co-author; u = undergraduate co-author)

P. Diaz-pargag, J.J. Goto, V.V. Krishnan (2020) On the Differential Roles of Mg2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ in the Equilibrium of Beta-N-Methyl-Amino-L-Alanine (BMAA) and its Carbamates. Neurotoxicity Research https://doi.org/10.1007/s12640-019-00157-0

R.N.C. Guedes, S. Corbettu, M. Rodriguez, J.J. Goto, S.S. Walse, (2018) Pesticide-Mediated Disruption of Spotted Wing Drosophila Flight Response to Raspberries. J Appl Entomol. 2018:1-8 DOI: 10.1111/jen.12500

P. Diaz-pargag, J.J. Goto, V.V. Krishnan (2018) Chemistry and Chemical Equilibrium Dynamics of BMAA and its Carbamate Adducts. Neurotoxicity Research 33:76-86 DOI:10.1007/s12640-017-9801-2

Kim B-H, Shin H-Y, Goto JJ, Carp RI, Choi E-K, Kim Y-S (2016) Cellular Prion Protein Combined with Galectin-3 and -6 Affects the Infectivity Titer of an Endogenous Retrovirus Assayed in Hippocampal Neuronal Cells. PLoS ONE 11(12): e0167293. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0167293 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0167293

D. Zimmermang, J.J. Goto, V. V. Krishnan, “Equilibrium dynamics of Beta-N-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) and its carbamate adducts at physiological conditions,” PLOS ONE, 2016, DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0160491. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0160491

S.M. Gunasekarag, M.N. Hicksg, J. Park, C.L. Brooks, J. Serateu, C.V. Saundersg, S.K. Groverg, J.J. Goto, J-W. Lee, H. Youn, “Directed Evolution of the Escherichia coli cAMP Receptor Protein at the cAMP Pocket,” Journal of Biological Chemistry, doi:10.1074/jbc.M115.678474, 2015, 290 (44): 26587-26596.

J.H. Koenig, J. J. Goto, K. Ikeda, “Novel NMDA Receptor-Specific Desensitization/Inactivation Produced by Ingestion of the Neurotoxins, Beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) or Beta-N-oxalylamino-L-alanine (BOAA/Beta-ODAP),” Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C: Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2015, Vol 167:43-50.

R. J. Egusquizau, R. B. Runyonu, J. Ringelu, C. W. C. Seberu, G. Leyvau, J. Correau, C. D. Rolandu, M. Umaru, M. Xiao, J. T. Bushoven, J. J. Goto, “Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation in Various Gravity Environments”, Gravitational and Space Research, 2014, 2(2):3-12.

J.J. Goto, J. L. Koenig, K. Ikeda, “The Physiological Effect of ingested Beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine in a Glutamatergic Synapse in an in vivo Preparation”, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C: Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2012, 156 (3-4):171-177.

Current Funding

  1. NSF LSAMP Bridge to Doctorate HRD #1905148                                                                      01/15/20 - 05/31/2022

    California State University, Fresno, CSU-LSAMP BD Cohort 16

    $1,075,000 Role: PI at Fresno State; CSU-LSAMP PI: Lisa Hammersley         

  2. NSF-DUE Track 1 Building Capacity HRD #1928671                                                                 10/01/19 - 09/30/2022

    $905,472 Role: Co-PI; PI: Chris Meyer                                                                                                                                                                                 

    Catalyzing Ideas for the San Joaquin Valley: Innovating Mathematics and Chemistry Curriculum (MC2)

  3. NIH RISE - NIGMS 1R25 GM131956-01                                                                                05/01/19 - 04/30/2024

    $339,551 Role: Faculty; PI: Krish Krishnan

    Project Title: The Fresno State RISE Program

  4. National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Bridges to Doctorate: Fresno State and UC Merced   07/01/15-03/31/2020                                                   NIH R25 GM115293-01 BD Program in Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences                                                                                                          $1,400,000  Role:Faculty;  PI: Krish Krishnan                                                      

  5. National Science Foundation (NSF) Widening Implementation and Demonstration of Evidence-Based Reforms (WIDER): Faculty Learning for Outcomes and Knowledge (FLOCK) $1,499,844.00                                            DUE: #134782 09/01/2014-08/31/2017                                                     Role: Faculty Core Member, Assessment for Chemistry

  6. Foundation; Amyloid Beta-Peptide Processing and BMAA

    $28,00 (2008-present) 
    Role: Principal Investigator

Completed Funding

NSF: Major Research Instrumentation (MRI): Acquisition of a High-Speed Camera System to Record Animal Movements in Three Dimensions.
Funded by: National Science Foundation
$311,414 (2008-2012)
Role: Co-Principal Investigator