LUISA DIOMEDE, PhD

based in Milano, Italia.

Luisa Diomede investigates the change in the synthesis or catabolism of various classes of lipids under the etio-pathogenesis of several inherited and acquired disorders, ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to atherosclerosis and stroke.

Cholesterol biology and the disturbances of its homeostasis in several neurological pathologies represent the major interest. Its homeostasis involves a complex biochemical machinery regulated both at transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. Particular attention is focused on: i) the transcription factors Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein-1 and 2 (SREBP-1 and SREBP-2). These are central players in cholesterol homeostasis since they regulate the transcription of LDL receptor gene, 3-hydroxymethyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and synthethase genes, and of other genes involved in fatty acids synthesis and metabolism; ii)  the molecular effect of cholesterol on cytokine production and on neurotoxic protein cellular interaction; and iii)  the role of  biological misregulation of cholesterol homeostasis  on the impairment of synaptic plasticity and neuronal degeneration.

Key words: cell membrane homeostasis, cholesterol, cholesterol transcription, membrane fluidity, inflammation

Dr. Diomede articles at PubMed | Dr. Diomede Institution web site | Dr. Diomede editorial contact