Douglas K. Bowles, PhD
Associate Director, National Center for Gender PhysiologyAssociate Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Adjunct Professor, Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology
Office Location: W124 Veterinary Medicine
Office Phone: 573-882-7193
BowlesD@missouri.edu
Research Interests
Research Description
Currently, research efforts in his lab are focused on understanding the role of ion channels, specifically K+ and Ca2+ channels and their role in regulating coronary artery function. A recent discovery in Bowles' lab is that exercise training increases the contribution of K+ channels to regulation of arterial tone. In addition, exercise training increases activity of L-type Ca2+ channels in coronary arterial smooth muscle. Bowles is currently exploring the mechanisms and consequences of these changes using electrophysiology, cannulated microvessel preparations, high speed confocal imaging, fluorescence imaging and biochemical techniques. Bowles' lab is interested in the role of vascular ion channels in adaptive responses to exercise, atherosclerosis and sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen). The primary model is the pig, with an emphasis on coronary smooth muscle. The overall research question is how changes in ion channel function alter physiologic responses such as vasomotion, gene regulation and disease progression. Aside from standard patch-clamping and physiological measures, we are developing a line of research examining how ion channels regulate gene expression in smooth muscle with the goal of understanding how adaptive changes in ion channels alter smooth muscle phenotype during atherosclerosis.
Professional Background
- Obtained BS in biochemistry, Kansas State University.
- Obtained MS in exercise science, Kansas State University.
- Obtained PhD in exercise Physiology, University of Texas-Austin.
- Completed a postdoctoral fellowship, University of Missouri.
- Joined the Biomedical Sciences Department in 1998.
- Joint-appointed in Medical Pharmacology and Physiology in 2005.
- Received the New Investigator Award from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
- Received an Independent Scientist Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- Elected fellow in ACSM.
- Invited member of the Hypertension and Microcirculation and several Special Emphasis Council Study Sections of the NIH.
- Member of the National American Heart Association Peer Review Group.
Selected Publications
- Wamhoff, B.R., D.K. Bowles, S. Sinha, O.G. McDonald, A.P. Somlyo, A.S. Somlyo and G.K. Owens. L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels modulate expression of smooth muscle differentiation marker genes via a Rho kinase/myocardin/SRF-dependent mechanism. Circ. Res. 95: 406-414, 2004.
- Bowles, D.K., V.K. Ganjam, K.K. Maddali, L.J. Rubin, D.L. Tharp, J.R. Turk and C.L. Heaps. Endogenous testosterone increases L-type Ca2+ channel expression in porcine coronary smooth muscle. Am. J. Physiol. (Heart Circ. Physiol). 287: H2091-H2098, 2004.
- Korzick, D.H., M.E. Rishel and D.K. Bowles. Exercise training and hypercholesterolemia produce disparate shifts in coronary artery PKC isoform expression. Med. Sci. Sports Ex. 37(3):381-8, 2005.
- Maddali, K.K., D.H. Korzick, J.R. Turk and D.K. Bowles. Isoform-specific modulation of coronary artery PKC by glucocorticoids. Vasc. Pharmacol. 42: 153-162, 2005.
- Maddali, K. Kalyani., Donna H. Korzick, Darla L. Tharp and Douglas K. Bowles. PKC-d mediates testosterone-induced increases in coronary smooth muscle Cav1.2. J. Biol. Chem. 280(52):43024-43029 2005.