Ruta MUCENIECE

Ruta MUCENIECE, Ph.D Professor Faculty of Medicine University of Latvia Sarlotes iela 1a Riga, LV-1001 Latvia Phone: (371) 67362499 Fax: (371) 67366306 e-mail: rutam@lanet.lv

Born: March 24, 1950, Latvia

• G-protein-coupled receptors
• Melanocortins
• Pharmacy education

Main research field - studies of melanocortin receptors.

Languages: Latvian, Russian, English, Swedish

• Master's degree in Pharmacy, Riga Medical Academy (Faculty of Pharmacy), 1976
• Dr.biol. (Candidate of Sciences in former USSR system), Tartu University, Estonia, 1982

                Thesis: “Short peptide influence on the brain monoaminergic processes”.

• Dr. habil. biol., University of Latvia, 1999

                Thesis: “Melanocortin receptors: from cloning to selective ligands”

Postdoctoral Research Training -

• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Pathophysiological Institute, Szeged University, Hungary, 1987 (1 month)
• Visiting Researcher, Department of Pharmacology, Umeå University, Sweden , 1992
• Visiting Researcher, Department of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Sweden, 1993-2000
• Visiting Researcher, Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmaacoogiques et Toxicologiques, Paris University CNRS UMR 8601, France, 2003.

• Senior Researcher, Head of Neurochemistry Group, Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia, 1987-1999
• Associate Professor, Director of Pharmacy Program, University of Latvia, 2000 - 2005
• Professor, Director of Pharmacy Program, University of Latvia,  2005 -

• Full Member,  Latvian Academy of Sciences, 2008
• Corresponding Member, Latvian Academy of Sciences, 2001
• Swedish Institute Fellowship, Program of a2-Adrenoreceptor and Idazoxan Receptor Studies, 1992 (6 months)
• Procordia Executive Committee Fellowship, Program of Research Fellowships in Molecular Biology (Studies of DNAs-sequencing methods, cloning, expression of MSH receptor subtypes), 1993-1995
• STINT Fellowship, Program of Molecular Pharmacology of Selective Melanocortin Receptor Ligands, 1997 (4 months)
• NOVO NORDISK A/S Fellowship, Program of Optimisation of Receptor Protein Expression in the SF9 Cells, 1999-2000
• The L'Oreal-Unesco for Women in Science Award (Latvia, together with LAS), 2005
• D. H. Grindel Medal (Company “Grindex”, Latvia), 2007
• Prize of University of Latvia „Original research results - year 2008”
• Prize of Society of Latvian pharmacists   „Pharmacist – year 2009” .

• Responsible person for a 10 credit elective course in molecular pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Sweden, 1996-2000
• Director of Pharmacy Program, University of Latvia, 2000 -

• Member, Latvian Society of Pharmacologists

Recent/Representative Publications (after 1999) 

• Jansone B, Rumaks J, Dzirkale Z, Pupure J, Svirskis S, Muceniece R, Klusa V. Gamma1- and gamma2-melanocyte stimulating hormones induce central anxiogenic effects and potentiate ethanol withdrawal responses in the elevated plus-maze test in mice. - Pharmacol Biochem Behav. , 2009 Apr, vol.92(2), pp.267-271
• Riekstina U, Cakstina I, Parfejevs V, Hoogduijn M, Jankovskis G, Muiznieks I, Muceniece R, Ancans J.  Embryonic Stem Cell Marker Expression Pattern in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Bone Marrow, Adipose Tissue, Heart and Dermis. - Stem Cell Rev Rep .,  2009 Sep 22. [Epub ahead of print]
• Riekstina U, Muceniece R, Cakstina I, Muiznieks I, Ancans J. Characterization of human skin-derived mesenchymal stem cell proliferation rate in different growth conditions. - Cytotechnology , 2008 Nov; vol. 58(3), pp.153-62.
• Bell JS, Aaltonen SE, Airaksinen MS, Volmer D, Gharat MS, Muceniece R, Vitola A, Foulon V, Desplenter FA, Chen TF. Determinants of mental health stigma among pharmacy students in Australia, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, India and Latvia. Soc Psychiatry . 2009 Oct 27. [Epub ahead of print]
• Vrublevska K, Rukmane J, Burmistrs R, Sipols J, Muceniece R. Dispensing of psychotropic drugs to adults in community pharmacies in Latvia. Pharm World Sci . 2008 Dec;30(6):934-9.
• Muceniece R, Saleniece K, Rumaks J, Krigere L, Dzirkale Z, Mezhapuke R, Zharkova O, Klusa V. Betulin binds to gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors and exerts anticonvulsant action in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav . 2008 Oct;90(4):712-6.
• Muceniece R, Saleniece K, Krigere L, Rumaks J, Dzirkale Z, Mezhapuke R, Kviesis J, Mekss P, Klusa V, Schiöth HB, Dambrova M. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) juice exerts an anticonvulsant effect in mice through binding to GABA receptors. Planta Med . 2008 Apr;74(5):491-6.
• Riekstina U, Muceniece R, Cakstina I, Muiznieks I, Ancans J. Characterization of human skin-derived mesenchymal stem cell proliferation in different growth conditions. - Cytotechnology, 2008 Nov, vol. 58, N 3, pp. 153-162.
• Bell JS, Aaltonen SE, Bronstein E, Desplenter FA, Foulon V, Vitola A, Muceniece R, Gharat MS, Volmer D, Airaksinen MS, Chen TF. Attitudes of pharmacy students toward people with mental disorders, a six country study. Pharm World Sci . 2008 Oct;30(5):595-9.
• Muceniece R, Zvejniece L, Vilskersts R, Liepinsh E, Baumane L, Kalvinsh I, Wikberg JE, Dambrova M. Functional Evaluation of THIQ, a Melanocortin 4 Receptor Agonist, in Models of Food Intake and Inflammation. - Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol.,  2007 Dec, vol. 101, N 6, pp. 416-20. PMID: 18028105 [PubMed - in process]
• Mutulis F, Kreicberga J, Yahorava S, Mutule I, Borisova-Jan L, Yahorau A, Muceniece R, Azena S, Veiksina S, Petrovska R, Wikberg JE. Design and synthesis of a library of tertiary amides: evaluation as mimetics of the melanocortins' active core.- Bioorg Med Chem.,   2007 Sep 1;vol. 15, N 17, pp. 5787-5810. PMID: 17618123 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
• Muceniece R, Saleniece K, Riekstina U, Krigere L, Tirzitis G, Ancans J. Betulin binds to melanocortin receptors and antagonizes alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone induced cAMP generation in mouse melanoma cells. - Cell Biochem Funct.,  2007 Sep-Oct; vol. 25, N 5, pp.591-596.
• Schioth HB, Muceniece R, Mutule I,  Wikberg JE. New melanocortin 1 receptor binding motif based on the C-terminal sequence of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone - Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol., 2006, N 4, pp. 287-293.
• Muceniece R, Zvejniece L, Liepinsh E, Kirjanova O, Baumane L, et al. The MC3 receptor binding affinity of melanocortins correlates with the nitric oxide production inhibition in mice brain inflammation model. - Peptides, 2006, vol. 27, N6, pp. 1443-1450.
• Jansone B., Muceniece R., Klusa V., Svirskis S., Petrovska R., Duburs G., Wikberg J.E. The non-peptide compound cerebrocrast is a highly selective melanocortin MC4 receptor agonist and inhibits feeding. - Proc. Latv. Acad. Sci., B, 2004, vpl. 58, pp. 98-103.
• Muceniece R, Zvejniece L, Kirjanova O, Liepinsh E, Krigere L, Baumane L, Kalvinsh I, Wikberg JE, Dambrova M.  ß- and gamma-melanocortins inhibit lipopolysaccharide induced nitric oxide production in mice brain. - Brain Res.,  2004,   995, N 1, pp.  7-13. PMID: 14644465 [PubMed - in process]
• Dambrova M, Kirjanova O, Baumane L, Liepinsh E, Zvejniece L, Muceniece R, Kalvinsh I, Wikberg JE. EPR investigation of in vivo inhibitory effect of guanidine compounds on nitric oxide production in rat tissues. - J.Physiol. Pharmacol., 2003, vol. 54, N 3, pp. 339-347. PMID: 14566073 [PubMed - in process]
• Muceniece R, Krigere L, Suli-Vargha H, Wikberg JE. Effects of alpha-melanotropin C-terminal tripeptide analogues on macrophage NO production. - Peptides, 2003, vol. 24, N 5, pp. 701-707. PMID: 12895656 [PubMed - in process]
• Schioth HB, Kask A, Mutulis F, Muceniece R, Mutule I, Mutule I, Mandrika I, Wikberg JE Novel selective melanocortin 4 receptor antagonist induces food intake after peripheral administration. - Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 2003, vol. 301, N 2, pp. 399-405. PMID: 12895656 [PubMed -   indexed for MEDLINE]
• Schioth HB, Tesafaye A, Mutulis F, Rudzish R,  Mutule I, Muceniece R, Watanobe H, Wikberg JE. Subtype selective binding properties of substituted linear melanocyte stimulating hormone analogues. - Neuropeptides, 2002,  vol. 36, N 6, pp. 427-434. PMID: 12507437 [PubMed - in process]
• Schioth HB, Bouifrouri AA, Rudzish R, Muceniece R, Watanobe H, Wikberg JE, Larhammar D. Pharmacological comparison of rat and human melanocortin 3 and 4 receptors in vitro.- Regul Pept., 2002, vol. 106, N 1-3, pp. 7-12. PMID: 12047904 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
• Neumann Andersen G, Nagaeva O, Mandrika I, Petrovska R, Muceniece R, Mincheva-Nilsson L, Wikberg JE. MC(1) receptors are constitutively expressed on leucocyte subpopulations with antigen presenting and cytotoxic functions.- Clin. Exp. Immunol.,  2001 , vol.126, N 3, pp. 441-446. PMID: 11737060 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
• Schioth HB, Tesfaye A, Mutulis F, Rudzish R, Mutule I, Muceniece R, Watanobe H, Wikberg JE. Subtype selective binding properties of substituted linear melanocyte stimulating hormone analogues. - Neuropeptides,   2002, vol. 36, N 6, pp. 427-434.
• Mandrika I., Muceniece R.,Wikberg J.E.S. Effects of malanocortin peptides on lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma-induced NF-kappaB DNA binding and nitric oxide production in macrophage-like RAW 264.7: evidence for dual mechanisms of action. - Biochem. Pharmacol., 2001, vol. 61, pp. 613-621.
• P.Prusis, R.Muceniece, I.Mutule,  F.Mutulis,  J.E..Wikberg. Design of new small cyclic melanocortin receptor-binding peptides using molecular modelling: Role of the His residue in the melanocortin peptide core. - Eur. J.Med.Chem., 2001, vol. 36, pp.137-146.
• P.Prusis, R.Muceniece, P.Anderson, C.Post, T.Lunstedt, J.E.S.Wikberg. PLS modelling of chimeric MS04/MSH-peptide and MC1/MC3-receptor interactions reveals a novel method for the analysis of ligand-receptor interactions. - BBA, 2001; 1544, pp. 35-37.
• R.Muceniece, I.Mutule,  F.Mutulis, P.Prusis, M.Szardenings, J.E.S.Wikberg.Detection of regions in the MC1 receptor of importance for the selectivity of the MC1 receptor super-selective MS04/MS05 peptides. - BBA, 2001; 1544, pp. 278-282.
• Wikberg J.E.S., Muceniece R., Mandrika I., Prusis P., Lindblom J., Post C., Skottner A. New aspects on the melanocortin and their receptors. - Pharmacol. Res., 2000, vol. 42, pp. 393-420.
• Szardenings M, Muceniece R, Mutule I, Mutulis F, Wikberg JE. New highly specific agonistic peptides for human melanocortin MC(1) receptor. - Peptides, 2000, vol. 21(2), pp. 239-243.
• Schioth HB, Muceniece R, Mutulis F, Bouifrouri AA, Mutule I, Wikberg JE. Further pharmacological characterization of the selective melanocortin 4 receptor antagonist HS014: comparison with SHU9119. - Neuropeptides, 1999, vol. 33(3), pp.191-196.
• Schioth HB, Prusis P, Muceniece R, Mutulis F, Mutule I, Wikberg JE. Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) selectively binds and activates the melanocortin 1 receptor. - Peptides, 1999, vol. 20(3), pp. 395-400.

Patents:

• WO01/36980: A process for identifying the active site in a biological target.
  T.Lundstedt, P.Andersson, J.Wikberg, R.Muceniece, P.Prusis.

• EP1025127A1: MSH-receptor subtype selective cyclic peptides.
  Wikberg, J., Muceniece, R., Mutulis, F., Prusis, P., Schiöth. H-B.
• WO035952A2: Compunds fpr control of eating, growth and body weight.
  Wikberg, J., Mutulis, F., Mutule, I., Schiöth, H., Muceniece, R.
• AU3722299A1: Melanocortin 1 receptor selective compounds.
  M. Szardenings, R. Muceniece, I. Mutule, F. Mutulis, J. Wikberg.
• WO9957148A1: Melanocortin 1 receptor selective compounds.
  M. Szardenings, R. Muceniece, I. Mutule, F. Mutulis, J. Wikberg.
• AU6127498A1: MSH-receptor subtype selective cyclic peptides.
  Wikberg, J., Muceniece, R., Mutulis, F., Prusis, P., Schiöth. H-B.
• WO9837097A1: MSH-receptor subtype selective cyclic peptides.
  Wikberg, J., Muceniece, R., Mutulis, F., Prusis, P., Schiöth. H-B.
• SE9700620AO: Cykliska peptider med selektivitet föer MSH-recepåtor subtyper.
  R. Muceniece, F. Mutulis, P. Prusis, H-B. Schiöth, J. Wikberg.

Research Projects:

• R.Muceniece (Senior Researcher). ESF project 1DP/1.1.1.2.0/09/APIA/VIAA/031 "Possibilities to treat neurogenerative illnesses by neuroimmune regulation with novel type privileged structures (2010-2012).
• R.Muceniece (Head of Project). Effects of neuropeptides, growth factors and chemokines on cell migration, differentiation and functions in vitro . Latvian Council of Science (2009-            ).
• ERAF Project VPD/ERAF/CFLA/05/APK/2.5.1./000072/036 „ Practical aspects of the development of isolation and propagation technologies of the autologous stem cells used in biomedicine’ (senior researcher, 2006-2007).
• R.Muceniece (Head of Project). Role of Melanocortins and Their   Synthetic  Mimetics in Neuro-Immuno-Endocrine Network. Latvian Council of Science.(2005 - 2009)
• R.Muceniece (Head of Project). Neuroinflammation and Immune Responses: Control by Melanocortins and Their Mimetics. Latvian Council of Science.(2001 - 2004 )
• R.Muceniece (Program Coordinator). Visby Network Grant: Program for Education and Development of Novel Technologies for Drug Development. 

Last update 18.12.2009