Genomics and proteomics; Ion channel kinetics and structure; Membrane Transport (Ion Transport); Protein Function and Structure; Proteins and metalloenzymes
Research in my laboratory is directed at understanding basic questions concerning structure-function relationships in ion channels. We are especially interested in using a variety of naturally-occurring toxins as probes of both ion transport and gating processes in these transmembrane macromolecules. To better understand the nature of these toxin binding sites, we have cloned and expressed synthetic genes which encode polypeptide modulators of voltage-sensitive sodium and calcium channels and also of a peptidic blocker of the gastric-chloride channel. By creating designed mutant forms of these toxins, and characterizing their functional properties and 3-dimensional structures, we hope to construct a picture of the channel region involved in binding. Complementary mutagenesis of channel products helps to define the structure of the channel itself, and this information is not accessible via other experimental approaches. Definition of toxin regions essential for this interaction will also allow us to design useful pharmacological agents directed at the target channel.
Education and Training:
PhD, Biochemistry, University of Chicago (1971)
BS, Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Magna Cum Laude (1967)
Employment:
Professor, University at Buffalo (2010-present)
Professor, SUNY at Buffalo (2000-present)
Professor, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine (1985)
Associate Professor, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine (1981)
Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine (1976)
Assistant Professor, University of Florida, College of Medicine (1974)
Awards and Honors:
Fellow of the Graduate School, University of Cincinnati (1996)
Akeson Memorial Prize for Teaching Excellence (1995)
Research Career Development Awardee, NIH (1978)
Research Expertise:
Biochemistry: Proteomics analysis
Biochemistry: Dr. Kenneth Blumenthal received his BS in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin, and his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Chicago. After serving as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at UCLA, he joined the University of Florida as Assistant Professor of Biochemistry. He later moved to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine where he rose through the ranks to become Professor of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology in 1986. In 2000, Dr. Blumenthal became Professor and Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry at SUNY Buffalo.
Dr. Blumenthal is widely recognized for his expertise in protein biochemistry and ion channel function, and has published over 60 peer-reviewed research papers in these areas, in addition to book chapters and review articles. He was a Research Career Development Awardee of the NIH, and has held research grants from NIH and NSF throughout his career. He served for 16 years on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, as well as on multiple NIH study sections. His former students and postdocs presently hold independent positions in academia and the biotech industry.
Ion channels
Protein biochemistry
Proteomics
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics
Grants and Sponsored Research:
April 2003–March 2004 Fluorescence 2D Difference Gel Electrophoresis NIH Role: Principal Investigator $279,224
April 2000–March 2004 Toxin: Na-Channel Interactions and Drug Design National Institute of General Medical Sciences Role: Principal Investigator $1,200,722
September 1996–August 2000 Interaction of Peptide Blockers with Gastric Chloride Channels NIH Role: Principal Investigator $596,260
May 1992–April 1996 Structure and Action of a Polypeptide Axonal Toxin NIH Role: Principal Investigator $432,136
April 1990–March 1996 Structure and Function of a Cardiotonic Anemone Toxin NIH Role: Principal Investigator $737,122
July 1989–March 1990 Site-directed Mutagenesis of a Cardiotonic Anemone Toxin American Heart Association Role: Principal Investigator $19,990
September 1986–February 1990 Structure and Action of an Axonal Polypeptide Toxin NSF Role: Co-Investigator $135,000
Howell ML, Alsabbagh E, Ma JF, Ochsner UA, Klotz MG, Beveridge TJ, Kenneth Blumenthal, Niederhoffer EC, Morris RE, Needham D, Dean GE, Wani MA, Hassett DJ. AnkB, a periplasmic ankyrin-like protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is required for optimal catalase B (KatB) activity and resistance to hydrogen peroxide.. J Bacteriol. 2000; 182(16).
Kelso GJ, Kenneth Blumenthal. Identification and characterization of novel sodium channel toxins from the sea anemone Anthopleura xanthogrammica.. Toxicon. 1998; 36(1).
Benzinger GR, Kyle JW, Kenneth Blumenthal, Hanck DA. A specific interaction between the cardiac sodium channel and site-3 toxin anthopleurin B.. J Biol Chem. 1998; 273(1).
Zheng G, Kenneth Blumenthal, Ji Y, Shardy DL, Cohen SB, Stavnezer E. High affinity dimerization by Ski involves parallel pairing of a novel bipartite alpha-helical domain.. J Biol Chem. 1997; 272(50).
Wen PH, Kenneth Blumenthal. Structure and function of Cerebratulus lacteus neurotoxin B-IV: tryptophan-30 is critical for function while lysines-18, -19, -29, and -33 are not required.. Biochemistry. 1997; 36(43).
Wen PH, Kenneth Blumenthal. Role of electrostatic interactions in defining the potency of neurotoxin B-IV from Cerebratulus lacteus.. J Biol Chem. 1996; 271(47).
Kelso GJ, Drum CL, Hanck DA, Kenneth Blumenthal. Role for Pro-13 in directing high-affinity binding of anthopleurin B to the voltage-sensitive sodium channel.. Biochemistry. 1996; 35(45).
Dias-Kadambi BL, Combs KA, Drum CL, Hanck DA, Kenneth Blumenthal. The role of exposed tryptophan residues in the activity of the cardiotonic polypeptide anthopleurin B.. J Biol Chem. 1996; 271(39).
Dias-Kadambi BL, Drum CL, Hanck DA, Kenneth Blumenthal. Leucine 18, a hydrophobic residue essential for high affinity binding of anthopleurin B to the voltage-sensitive sodium channel.. J Biol Chem. 1996; 271(16).
Khera PK, Kenneth Blumenthal. Importance of highly conserved anionic residues and electrostatic interactions in the activity and structure of the cardiotonic polypeptide anthopleurin B.. Biochemistry. 1996; 35(11).
Khera PK, Benzinger GR, Lipkind G, Drum CL, Hanck DA, Kenneth Blumenthal. Multiple cationic residues of anthopleurin B that determine high affinity and channel isoform discrimination.. Biochemistry. 1995; 34(27).
Khera PK, Kenneth Blumenthal. Role of the cationic residues arginine 14 and lysine 48 in the function of the cardiotonic polypeptide anthopleurin B.. J Biol Chem. 1994; 269(2).
Gallagher MJ, Kenneth Blumenthal. Importance of the unique cationic residues arginine 12 and lysine 49 in the activity of the cardiotonic polypeptide anthopleurin B.. J Biol Chem. 1994; 269(1).
Gallagher MJ, Kenneth Blumenthal. Cloning and expression of wild-type and mutant forms of the cardiotonic polypeptide anthopleurin B.. J Biol Chem. 1992; 267(20).
Howell ML, Kenneth Blumenthal. Mutagenesis of Cerebratulus lacteus neurotoxin B-IV identifies NH2-terminal sequences important for biological activity.. J Biol Chem. 1991; 266(20).
Cuppoletti J, Kenneth Blumenthal, Malinowska DH. Melittin inhibition of the gastric (H+ + K+) ATPase and photoaffinity labeling with [125I]azidosalicylyl melittin.. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1989; 275(1).
Howell ML, Blumenthal KM. Cloning and expression of a synthetic gene for Cerebratulus lacteus neurotoxin B-IV.. J Biol Chem. 1989; 264(26).
Liu JW, Blumenthal KM. Functional interaction between Cerebratulus lacteus cytolysin A-III and phospholipase A2. Implications for the mechanism of cytolysis.. J Biol Chem. 1988; 263(14).
Liu JW, Blumenthal KM. Membrane damage by Cerebratulus lacteus cytolysin A-III. Effects of monovalent and divalent cations on A-III hemolytic activity.. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1988; 937(1).
Balasubramaniam A, Murphy RF, Blumenthal KM. Synthesis of sequences 1-16 and 63-95 of Cerebratulus lacteus toxin AIII. Hemolytic activity in a toxin fragment.. Int J Pept Protein Res. 1986; 27(5).
Lieberman DL, Blumenthal KM. Structure and action of heteronemertine polypeptide toxins. Specific cross-linking of Cerebratulus lacteus toxin B-IV to lobster axon membrane vesicles.. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1986; 855(1).
Blumenthal KM. Binding of Cerebratulus cytolysin A-III to human erythrocyte membranes.. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1985; 812(1).
Dumont JA, Blumenthal KM. Structure and action of heteronemertine polypeptide toxins: importance of amphipathic helix for activity of Cerebratulus lacteus toxin A-III.. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1985; 236(1).
Blumenthal KM. Release of liposomal markers by Cerebratulus toxin A-III.. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1984; 121(1).
Blumenthal KM, Kem WR. Primary structure of Stoichactis helianthus cytolysin III.. J Biol Chem. 1983; 258(9).
Blumenthal KM. Structure and action of heteronemertine polypeptide toxins. Membrane penetration by Cerebratulus lacteus toxin A-III.. Biochemistry. 1982; 21(18).
Blumenthal KM, Keim PS, Heinrikson RL, Kem WR. Structure and action of heteronemertine polypeptide toxins. Amino acid sequence of Cerebratulus lacteus toxin B-II and revised structure of toxin B-IV.. J Biol Chem. 1981; 256(17).
Blumenthal KM. Structure and action of heteronemertine polypeptide toxins. Disulfide bonds of Cerebratulus lacteus toxin A-III.. J Biol Chem. 1980; 255(17).
Blumenthal KM, Kem WR. Structure and action of heteronemertine polypeptide toxins. Primary structure of Cerebratulus lacteus toxin A-III.. J Biol Chem. 1980; 255(17).
Blumenthal KM, Kem WR. Structure and action of heteronemertine polypeptide toxins: inactivation of Cerebratulus lacteus toxin B-IV by tyrosine nitration.. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1980; 203(2).
Blumenthal KM. Structure and action of heteronemertine polypeptide toxins: inactivation of Cerebratulus lacteus toxin B-IV concomitant with tryptophan alkylation.. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1980; 203(2).
Panini A, Blumenthal K. Effects of N-ethylmaleimide treatment on the action potential Na+-ionophore of cultured neuroblastoma cells.. J Neurochem. 1980; 35(3).
Blumenthal KM, Rourke FJ, Wilder MS. Platelet activation by cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages.. J Reticuloendothel Soc. 1980; 27(3).
Richardson C, Behnke WD, Freisheim JH, Blumenthal KM. The complete amino acid sequence of the alpha-subunit of pea lectin, Pisum sativum.. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1978; 537(2).
Kem WR, Blumenthal KM. Purification and characterization of the cytotoxic Cerebratulus A toxins.. J Biol Chem. 1978; 253(16).
Blumenthal KM, Kem WR. Structure and action of heteronemertine polypeptide toxins: disulfide bonds of Cerebratulus lacteus toxin B-IV.. J Biol Chem. 1977; 252(10).
Blumenthal KM, Kem WR. Structure and action of heteronemertine polypeptide toxins. Primary structure of Cerebratulus lacteus toxin B-IV.. J Biol Chem. 1976; 251(19).
Blumenthal KM, Smith EL. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-specific glutamate dehydrogenase of Neurospora. III. Inactivation by nitration of a tyrosine residue involved in coenzyme binding.. J Biol Chem. 1975; 250(16).
Blumenthal KM, Smith EL. Functional arginine residues involved in coenzyme binding by glutamate dehydrogenases.. J Biol Chem. 1975; 250(16).
Blumenthal KM, Moon K, Smith EL. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-specific glutamate dehydrogenase of Neurospora.. J Biol Chem. 1975; 250(10).
Blumenthal KM, Smith EL. Alternative substrates for glutamate dehydrogenases.. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1975; 62(1).
Wootton JC, Chambers GK, Holder AA, Baron AJ, Taylor JG, Fincham JR, Blumenthal KM, Moon K, Smith EL. Amino-acid sequence of NADP-specific glutamate dehydrogenase of neurospora crassa.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1974; 71(11).
Blumenthal KM, Smith EL. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-specific glutamate dehydrogenase of Neurospora. I. Isolation, subunits, amino acid composition, sulfhydryl groups, and identification of a lysine residue reactive with pyridoxal phosphate and N-ethylmaleimide.. J Biol Chem. 1973; 248(17).
Blumenthal KM, Heinrikson RL. Structure studies of bovine liver thiosulfate sulfurtransferase. II. S-carboxymethylation of the enzyme and sequence analysis of the tryptic cysteinyl peptides.. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1972; 278(3).
Blumenthal KM, Heinrikson RL. Structural studies of bovine liver rhodanese. I. Isolation and characterization of two active forms of the enzyme.. J Biol Chem. 1971; 246(8).
Liu J, Kenneth Blumenthal. Identification of oleic acid binding sites in cytolysin A-III from the heteronemertine Cerebratulus lacteus.. Toxicon. ; 29(1).
Kenneth Blumenthal. Structural Studies of Bovine Liver Rhodanese. Isolation and Characterization of Two Active Forms of the Enzyme. Journal of Biological Chemistry. ; 246.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Structural Studies of Bovine Liver Thiosulfate Sulfurtransferase. S-carboxymethylation of the Enzyme and Sequence Analysis of the Tryptic Cysteinyl Peptides. Biochim Biophys Acta. ; 278.
Kenneth Blumenthal. NADP-specific Glutamate Dehydrogenase of Neurospora. Isolation, Subunits, Amino Acid Composition, Sulfhydryl Groups, and Identification of a Lysine Residue Reactive with Pyridoxal Phosphate and N- ethylmaleimide. J Biol Chem. ; 248.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Amino Acid Sequence of the NADP-specific Glutamate Dehydrogenase of Neurospora crassa. Proc Nat Acad Sci USA. ; 71.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Alternative Substrates for Glutamate Dehydrogenases. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.. ; 62.
Kenneth Blumenthal. NADP-specific Glutamate Dehydrogenase of Neurospora. Sequence of the Cyanogen Bromide Peptides; the Complete Sequence of the Enzyme. J Biol Chem. ; 250.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Functional Arginine Residues Involved in Coenzyme Binding by Glutamate Dehydrogenases. J Biol Chem. ; 250.
Kenneth Blumenthal. NADP-specific Glutamate Dehydrogenase of Neurospora. Inactivation by Tetranitromethane and Identification of a Specific Tyrosine Involved in Coenzyme Binding. J Biol Chem. ; 250.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Structure and Action of Heteronemertine Polypeptide Toxins. Primary Structure of Cerebratulus lacteus Toxin B-IV. J Biol Chem. ; 251.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Structure and Action of Heteronemertine Polypeptide Toxins. Disulfide Bonds of Cerebratulus lacteus Toxin B-IV. J Biol Chem. ; 252.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Purification and Characterization of the Cytolytic Cerebratulus A Toxins. J Biol Chem. ; 253.
Kenneth Blumenthal, Kenneth Blumenthal, Richardson, C. Complete Amino Acid Sequence of the -Subunit of Pea Lectin. Biochim Biophys Acta. ; 537.
Kenneth Blumenthal, Kenneth Blumenthal, Richardson, C. Complete Amino Acid Sequence of the -Subunit of Pea Lectin. Biochim Biophys Acta. ; 537.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Effects of N-ethylmaleimide Treatment on the Action Potential Na-ionophore of Cultured Neuroblastoma Cells. J Neurochem. ; 32.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Synthesis of Sequences 1-16 and 63-95 of Cerebratulus lacteus Cytolysin A-III: Hemolytic Activity in a Toxin Fragment. Int J Prot Pept Res. ; 27.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Effects of Ionic Strength and Membrane Surface Potential on the Cytolytic Activity of Cerebratulus lacteus Cytolysin A-III. Biochim Biophys Acta. ; 937.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Synergistic Interaction between Cerebratulus lacteus Cytolysin A-III and Phospholipase A2: Implications for the Mechanism of Membrane Damage. J Biol Chem. ; 263.
Kenneth Blumenthal. Cloning and Expression of a Synthetic Gene for Cerebratulus lacteus Neurotoxin B-IV. J Biol Chem. ; 264.
Blumenthal KM. Renaturation of neurotoxin B-IV from the heteronemertine Cerebratulus lacteus.. Toxicon. ; 24(1).
Platts-Mills TA, Vaughan JW, Blumenthal K, Pollart Squillace S, Sporik RB. Serum IgG and IgG4 antibodies to Fel d 1 among children exposed to 20 microg Fel d 1 at home: relevance of a nonallergic modified Th2 response.. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. ; 124(1-3).
