Alejandra San Martin PhD

Department of Medicine
Associate Professor

(404) 727-3415
asanmartin@emory.edu

Academic Appointment

Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine

Education

Degrees

PhD from Universidad Católica de Chile
Licentiate in Biochemistry from Universidad Católica de Chile
BS from Universidad Católica de Chile

Research

Focus

The major focus of my research program is to understand the mechanisms underlying smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic modulation during diseases such as atherosclerosis, retenosis and hypertension, and the participation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the signaling pathways leading to vascular pathology. In particular, we study the molecular pathways targeted by ROS derived from NADPH oxidases in the regulation of actin binding proteins controlling VSMC cytoskeleton.

Publications

The mitochondrial protease ClpP is a druggable target that controls VSMC phenotype by a SIRT1-dependent mechanism.
Redox Biol Volume: 73 Page(s): 103203
07/01/2024 Authors: Paredes F; Williams HC; Liu X; Holden C; Bogan B; Wang Y; Crotty KM; Yeligar SM; Elorza AA; Lin Z
The Role of Fatty Acid Synthase in the Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell to Foam Cell Transition.
Cells Volume: 13
04/09/2024 Authors: Bogan BJ; Williams HC; Holden CM; Patel V; Joseph G; Fierro C; Sepulveda H; Taylor WR; Rezvan A; San Martin A
HERPUD1 governs tumor cell mitochondrial function via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-mediated calcium signaling.
Free Radic Biol Med Volume: 211 Page(s): 24 - 34
02/01/2024 Authors: Paredes F; Navarro-Marquez M; Quiroga C; Jimnez-Gallegos D; Yeligar SM; Parra V; Mller M; Chiong M; Quest AFG; San Martin A
Metabolic regulation of the proteasome under hypoxia by Poldip2 controls fibrotic signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Free Radic Biol Med Volume: 195 Page(s): 283 - 297
02/01/2023 Authors: Paredes F; Williams HC; Suster I; Tejos M; Fuentealba R; Bogan B; Holden CM; San Martin A
Nox1-based NADPH oxidase regulates the Par protein complex activity to control cell polarization.
Front Cell Dev Biol Volume: 11 Page(s): 1231489
01/01/2023 Authors: Valdivia A; Duran C; Lee M; Williams HC; Lee M-Y; San Martin A
Regulation of total LC3 levels by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells.
J Cell Mol Med Volume: 26 Page(s): 1710 - 1713
03/01/2022 Authors: Mondaca-Ruff D; Quiroga C; Norambuena-Soto I; Riquelme JA; San Martin A; Bustamante M; Lavandero S; Chiong M
Metabolic adaptation in hypoxia and cancer.
Cancer Lett Volume: 502 Page(s): 133 - 142
04/01/2021 Authors: Paredes F; Williams HC; San Martin A
Characterization of Poldip2 knockout mice: Avoiding incorrect gene targeting.
PLoS One Volume: 16 Page(s): e0247261
01/01/2021 Authors: Lassgue B; Kumar S; Mandavilli R; Wang K; Tsai M; Kang D-W; Demos C; Hernandes MS; San Martn A; Taylor WR
Syndecan-4/PAR-3 signaling regulates focal adhesion dynamics in mesenchymal cells.
Cell Commun Signal Volume: 18 Page(s): 129
08/18/2020 Authors: Valdivia A; Crdenas A; Brenet M; Maldonado H; Kong M; Daz J; Burridge K; Schneider P; San Martn A; Garca-Mata R
Correction: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) regulates slingshot phosphatase activity via Nox1-dependent auto-dephosphorylation of serine 834 in vascular smooth muscle cells.
J Biol Chem Volume: 295 Page(s): 8348
06/12/2020 Authors: Maheswaranathan M; Gole HKA; Fernandez I; Lassgue B; Griendling KK; San Martn A
Quiescin/sulfhydryl oxidase 1b (QSOX1b) induces migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells by distinct redox pathways.
Arch Biochem Biophys Volume: 679 Page(s): 108220
01/15/2020 Authors: Frana KC; Martinez PA; Prado ML; Lo SM; Borges BE; Zanata SM; San Martin A; Nakao LS
Mitochondrial Protein Poldip2 (Polymerase Delta Interacting Protein 2) Controls Vascular Smooth Muscle Differentiated Phenotype by O-Linked GlcNAc (N-Acetylglucosamine) Transferase-Dependent Inhibition of a Ubiquitin Proteasome System.
Circ Res Volume: 126 Page(s): 41 - 56
01/03/2020 Authors: Paredes F; Williams HC; Quintana RA; San Martin A
PPARgamma coactivator 1-alpha deletion unpregulates catalase expression in the arterial wall preventing atherosclerosis formation
Volume: 24 Page(s): 272 - 273
06/01/2019 Authors: Quintana RA; Sellak H; Okwan-Duodu D; Joseph G; Williams HC; Paredes F; San Martin A; Lassegue B; Taylor WR
Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell PGClalpha Deletion is Atheroprotective in vivo
Volume: 39
05/01/2019 Authors: Quintana RA; Sellak H; Okwan-Duodu D; Joseph G; Williams HC; Paredes F; Martin AS; Lassegue B; Taylor WR
The cofilin phosphatase slingshot homolog 1 restrains angiotensin II-induced vascular hypertrophy and fibrosis in vivo.
Lab Invest Volume: 99 Page(s): 399 - 410
03/01/2019 Authors: Williams HC; Ma J; Weiss D; Lassgue B; Sutliff RL; San Martn A
Reply to Bailey et al.: New perspectives on the novel role of the Poldip2/ACSM1 axis in a functional mammalian lipoylation salvage pathway.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Volume: 115 Page(s): E7460 - E7461
08/07/2018 Authors: Paredes F; Lassgue B; Williams HC; Faidley EA; Benavides GA; Yeligar SM; Griendling KK; Darley-Usmar V; San Martin A
PPAR Regulates Mitochondrial Structure and Function and Human Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation.
Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol Volume: 58 Page(s): 648 - 657
05/01/2018 Authors: Yeligar SM; Kang B-Y; Bijli KM; Kleinhenz JM; Murphy TC; Torres G; San Martin A; Sutliff RL; Hart CM
Poldip2 takes a central role in metabolic reprograming.
Oncoscience Volume: 5 Page(s): 130 - 131
05/01/2018 Authors: Paredes F; Suster I; Martin AS
Poldip2 is an oxygen-sensitive protein that controls PDH and KGDH lipoylation and activation to support metabolic adaptation in hypoxia and cancer.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Volume: 115 Page(s): 1789 - 1794
02/20/2018 Authors: Paredes F; Sheldon K; Lassgue B; Williams HC; Faidley EA; Benavides GA; Torres G; Sanhueza-Olivares F; Yeligar SM; Griendling KK
Autophagy mediates tumor necrosis factor--induced phenotype switching in vascular smooth muscle A7r5 cell line.
PLoS One Volume: 13 Page(s): e0197210
01/01/2018 Authors: Garca-Miguel M; Riquelme JA; Norambuena-Soto I; Morales PE; Sanhueza-Olivares F; Nuez-Soto C; Mondaca-Ruff D; Cancino-Arenas N; San Martn A; Chiong M
Poldip2 is an oxygen-sensitive mitochondrial protein that controls Oxidative/glycolytic metabolism balance and Proteasome activity.
Volume: 28
01/01/2017 Authors: Paredes FI; Tejos M; Williams H; Benavides G; Darley-Usmar V; San Martin A
Glucagon-like peptide-1 inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell dedifferentiation through mitochondrial dynamics regulation.
Biochem Pharmacol Volume: 104 Page(s): 52 - 61
03/15/2016 Authors: Torres G; Morales PE; Garca-Miguel M; Norambuena-Soto I; Cartes-Saavedra B; Vidal-Pea G; Moncada-Ruff D; Sanhueza-Olivares F; San Martn A; Chiong M
HERPUD1 protects against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis through downregulation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor.
Free Radic Biol Med Volume: 90 Page(s): 206 - 218
01/01/2016 Authors: Paredes F; Parra V; Torrealba N; Navarro-Marquez M; Gatica D; Bravo-Sagua R; Troncoso R; Pennanen C; Quiroga C; Chiong M
Redox-Sensitive Regulation of Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor (MRTF-A) Phosphorylation via Palladin in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation Marker Gene Expression.
PLoS One Volume: 11 Page(s): e0153199
01/01/2016 Authors: Lee M; San Martn A; Valdivia A; Martin-Garrido A; Griendling KK
Role of Subplasmalemmal Mitochondria in Angiotensin II-Mediated Contraction.
Circ Res Volume: 117 Page(s): 984 - 986
12/04/2015 Authors: Sheldon KL; San Martn A
Nox4-dependent activation of cofilin mediates VSMC reorientation in response to cyclic stretching.
Free Radic Biol Med Volume: 85 Page(s): 288 - 294
08/01/2015 Authors: Montenegro MF; Valdivia A; Smolensky A; Verma K; Taylor WR; San Martn A
Hic-5 Mediates TGF-Induced Adhesion in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by a Nox4-Dependent Mechanism.
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol Volume: 35 Page(s): 1198 - 1206
05/01/2015 Authors: Fernandez I; Martin-Garrido A; Zhou DW; Clempus RE; Seidel-Rogol B; Valdivia A; Lassgue B; Garca AJ; Griendling KK; San Martin A
The role of Nox-mediated oxidation in the regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics.
Curr Pharm Des Volume: 21 Page(s): 6009 - 6022
01/01/2015 Authors: Valdivia A; Duran C; San Martin A
NADPH oxidases: progress and opportunities.
Antioxid Redox Signal Volume: 20 Page(s): 2692 - 2694
06/10/2014 Authors: San Martin A; Griendling KK
Do endothelial cells eat tryptophan to die?
Circ Res Volume: 114 Page(s): 406 - 408
01/31/2014 Authors: Duran C; San Martn A
Transforming growth factor inhibits platelet derived growth factor-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation via Akt-independent, Smad-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation.
PLoS One Volume: 8 Page(s): e79657
01/01/2013 Authors: Martin-Garrido A; Williams HC; Lee M; Seidel-Rogol B; Ci X; Dong J-T; Lassgue B; Martn AS; Griendling KK
Poldip 2 Regulates Adhesion and Spreading of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Through Its Interaction With Kindlin-2 and Talin
CIRCULATION Volume: 126
11/20/2012 Authors: Khalil MK; Lassegue B; McGrail D; Datla SR; San Martin A; Dawson M; Griendling K
Role of coronin 1B in PDGF-induced migration of vascular smooth muscle cells.
Circ Res Volume: 111 Page(s): 56 - 65
06/22/2012 Authors: Williams HC; San Martn A; Adamo CM; Seidel-Rogol B; Pounkova L; Datla SR; Lassgue B; Bear JE; Griendling K
Biochemistry, physiology, and pathophysiology of NADPH oxidases in the cardiovascular system.
Circ Res Volume: 110 Page(s): 1364 - 1390
05/11/2012 Authors: Lassgue B; San Martn A; Griendling KK
Vascular smooth muscle insulin resistance, but not hypertrophic signaling, is independent of angiotensin II-induced IRS-1 phosphorylation by JNK.
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol Volume: 301 Page(s): C1415 - C1422
12/01/2011 Authors: Hitomi H; Mehta PK; Taniyama Y; Lassgue B; Seidel-Rogol B; San Martin A; Griendling KK
Cofilin Activation is Required for Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Reorientation After Mechanical Stress
Volume: 51 Page(s): S39 - S39
11/01/2011 Authors: Gole HKA; Smolensky A; Dikalova A; San Martin A
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) regulates Slingshot phosphatase activity via Nox1-dependent auto-dephosphorylation of serine 834 in vascular smooth muscle cells.
J Biol Chem Volume: 286 Page(s): 35430 - 35437
10/14/2011 Authors: Maheswaranathan M; Gole HKA; Fernandez I; Lassgue B; Griendling KK; San Martn A
Early endosomal antigen 1 (EEA1) is an obligate scaffold for angiotensin II-induced, PKC-alpha-dependent Akt activation in endosomes.
J Biol Chem Volume: 286 Page(s): 2886 - 2895
01/28/2011 Authors: Nazarewicz RR; Salazar G; Patrushev N; San Martin A; Hilenski L; Xiong S; Alexander RW
NADPH oxidase 4 mediates TGF--induced smooth muscle -actin via p38MAPK and serum response factor.
Free Radic Biol Med Volume: 50 Page(s): 354 - 362
01/15/2011 Authors: Martin-Garrido A; Brown DI; Lyle AN; Dikalova A; Seidel-Rogol B; Lassgue B; San Martn A; Griendling KK
Nox1-mediated activation of Slingshot phosphatase in VSMC
FASEB JOURNAL Volume: 24
04/01/2010 Authors: San Martin A; Maheswaranathan M; Griendling KK
PDGF-induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration is Regulated by Coronin 1b
FASEB JOURNAL Volume: 24
04/01/2010 Authors: Williams HC; San Martin A; Griendling KK
Redox control of vascular smooth muscle migration.
Antioxid Redox Signal Volume: 12 Page(s): 625 - 640
03/01/2010 Authors: San Martn A; Griendling KK
PGC-1 alpha serine 570 phosphorylation and GCN5-mediated acetylation by angiotensin II drive catalase down-regulation and vascular hypertrophy.
J Biol Chem Volume: 285 Page(s): 2474 - 2487
01/22/2010 Authors: Xiong S; Salazar G; San Martin A; Ahmad M; Patrushev N; Hilenski L; Nazarewicz RR; Ma M; Ushio-Fukai M; Alexander RW
Central Role of Early Endosomal Antigen 1 (EEA1) in Organization of Angiotensin II Signaling Leading to Akt Activation in Early Endosome
Volume: 120 Page(s): S1078 - S1078
11/03/2009 Authors: Nazarewicz RR; Salazar G; Patrushev N; Hilenski L; Martin AS; Xiong S; Ushio-Fukai M; Alexander RW
Mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1) contribution to injury-induced neointimal formation.
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol Volume: 29 Page(s): 480 - 487
04/01/2009 Authors: Lee MY; San Martin A; Mehta PK; Dikalova AE; Garrido AM; Datla SR; Lyons E; Krause K-H; Banfi B; Lambeth JD
Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor expression masks the antiinflammatory and glucose uptake capacity of insulin in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol Volume: 29 Page(s): 408 - 415
03/01/2009 Authors: Engberding N; San Martn A; Martin-Garrido A; Koga M; Pounkova L; Lyons E; Lassgue B; Griendling KK
Novel Nox1-mediated mechanism of SSH1L activation in VSMC: Role in cell migration
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY Volume: 28 Page(s): E109 - E109
06/01/2008 Authors: Martin AS; Lee MY; Griendling KK
Dual regulation of cofilin activity by LIM kinase and Slingshot-1L phosphatase controls platelet-derived growth factor-induced migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells.
Circ Res Volume: 102 Page(s): 432 - 438
02/29/2008 Authors: San Martn A; Lee MY; Williams HC; Mizuno K; Lassgue B; Griendling KK
Nox1-based NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide is required for VSMC activation by advanced glycation end-products.
Free Radic Biol Med Volume: 42 Page(s): 1671 - 1679
06/01/2007 Authors: San Martin A; Foncea R; Laurindo FR; Ebensperger R; Griendling KK; Leighton F
Reactive oxygen species-selective regulation of aortic inflammatory gene expression in Type 2 diabetes.
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol Volume: 292 Page(s): H2073 - H2082
05/01/2007 Authors: San Martn A; Du P; Dikalova A; Lassgue B; Aleman M; Gngora MC; Brown K; Joseph G; Harrison DG; Taylor WR
Dual regulation of actin dynamics by cofilin and SSH1L in PDGF-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells
CIRCULATION Volume: 114 Page(s): 156 - 156
10/31/2006 Authors: San Martin A; Lassegue B; Williams H; Griendling KK
Selective regulation of bone morphogenetic protein-4 by reactive oxygen species in type 2 diabetic mice: Relationship to NADPH oxidases
Volume: 26 Page(s): E84 - E84
05/01/2006 Authors: Martin AS; Du PF; Dikalova A; Aleman M; Jo H; Griendling KK
Nox1 overexpression potentiates angiotensin II-induced hypertension and vascular smooth muscle hypertrophy in transgenic mice.
Circulation Volume: 112 Page(s): 2668 - 2676
10/25/2005 Authors: Dikalova A; Clempus R; Lassgue B; Cheng G; McCoy J; Dikalov S; San Martin A; Lyle A; Weber DS; Weiss D
Effect of Mediterranean and Occidental diets, and red wine, on plasma fatty acids in humans. An intervention study.
Biol Res Volume: 37 Page(s): 253 - 261
01/01/2004 Authors: Urquiaga I; Guasch V; Marshall G; San Martn A; Castillo O; Rozowski J; Leighton F
The antioxidant tempol attenuates Ang II induced oxidative stress, hypertension and hypertrophy in mice overexpressing Nox1 in smooth muscle cells
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE Volume: 37 Page(s): S34 - S34
01/01/2004 Authors: Dikalova A; Dikalov S; Lassegue B; Clempus R; San Martin A; Lyle A; Cheng GJ; Lambeth D; Owens G; Griendling K
Advanced glycated products induce the expression of iNOS in VSMC
Volume: 35 Page(s): S73 - S73
01/01/2003 Authors: San Martin A; Foncea R; Ebensperger R; Leighton F
Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic change and RAGE expression induced by advanced glycation end-products is mediated by reactive oxygen species generation
Volume: 106 Page(s): 163 - 163
11/05/2002 Authors: San Martin A; Foncea R; Laurindo F; Pedro M; Leighton F
Wine, diet, antioxidant defenses, and oxidative damage.
Ann N Y Acad Sci Volume: 957 Page(s): 136 - 145
05/01/2002 Authors: Prez DD; Strobel P; Foncea R; Dez MS; Vsquez L; Urquiaga I; Castillo O; Cuevas A; San Martn A; Leighton F
Advanced glycation products induce VSMC activation by ROS-mediated mechanism
Volume: 33 Page(s): S356 - S357
01/01/2002 Authors: San-Martin A; Foncea R; Laurindo F; Pedro M; Leighton F
Homocysteine induces endotelial dysfunction by an oxidative stress dependent mechanism
Volume: 33 Page(s): S357 - S357
01/01/2002 Authors: Foncea R; Martinez A; San-Martin A; Leighton F
Scavenger class B type I (SR-BI) expression protects cells from oxidative stress
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE Volume: 33 Page(s): S69 - S69
01/01/2002 Authors: Miranda S; Martin AS; Strobel P; Foncea R; Rigotti A; Leighton F
Complementary effects of Mediterranean diet and moderate red wine intake on haemostatic cardiovascular risk factors.
Eur J Clin Nutr Volume: 55 Page(s): 444 - 451
06/01/2001 Authors: Mezzano D; Leighton F; Martnez C; Marshall G; Cuevas A; Castillo O; Panes O; Muoz B; Prez DD; Mizn C
[Differences in plasma antioxidants according to socioeconomic level in Chilean women].
Rev Med Chil Volume: 129 Page(s): 43 - 50
01/01/2001 Authors: Rozowski J; Cuevas A; Castillo O; Marn PP; Strobel P; Prez DD; San Martn A; Barriga C; Maiz A; Leighton F
Spontaneous urinary chemiluminescence and diet. An intervention study in humans.
Luminescence Volume: 16 Page(s): 321 - 325
01/01/2001 Authors: Pizarro M; Lissi EA; Marshall G; Martn AS; Leighton F
A high-fat diet induces and red wine counteracts endothelial dysfunction in human volunteers.
Lipids Volume: 35 Page(s): 143 - 148
02/01/2000 Authors: Cuevas AM; Guasch V; Castillo O; Irribarra V; Mizon C; San Martin A; Strobel P; Perez D; Germain AM; Leighton F
Plasma polyphenols and antioxidants, oxidative DNA damage and endothelial function in a diet and wine intervention study in humans.
Drugs Exp Clin Res Volume: 25 Page(s): 133 - 141
01/01/1999 Authors: Leighton F; Cuevas A; Guasch V; Prez DD; Strobel P; San Martn A; Urzua U; Dez MS; Foncea R; Castillo O

Directory section navigation

Profile

Alejandra San Martin PhD

Academic Appointment

Education

Degrees

Research

Focus

Publications