Education:

• Ph.D., Nutritional Biochemistry, The University of Tokyo
• M.S., Nutritional Biochemistry, Hiroshima University
• B.S., Applied Biochemistry, Hiroshima University

Research Interests:

Iron is an essential nutrient for all living cells, and the most abundant trace element in the human body.  Excess iron, however, is toxic.  After iron is absorbed in the intestine exclusively through DMT1 as we reported previously, it is transported to the liver.  If the amount of iron reaching the liver exceeds this organ’s storage capacity, excess iron then travels via the plasma to other organs, including the heart and pancreas. 

The mechanisms involved in iron absorption leading to iron overload in the liver and heart are not fully understood.  The immediate goal of my research program is to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the iron import into the liver and heart.  I plan to study whether iron absorption affects liver and heart iron accumulation, how the iron absorption is regulated, and how the liver and heart cells take up iron.  The long term goal is to develop strategies to diagnosis, prevent, and treat iron overload in the liver and heart.

Selected Publications:

• Gunshin H, Jin J, Fujiwara Y, Andrews NC. Analysis of E399D mutation in SLC11A2(human DMT1). Blood2005, 106(6): 2221-2.
• Andrews NC and Gunshin H. Cybrd1 is not essential in mice. Blood 2005,106(13): 4413-4.
• Gunshin H, Tohyama C, Vainshtein Y, Hentze MW, Muckenthaler M, Andrews NC.  Metal distribution and gene expression profile using IronChip microarray platform in conventional and intestine-specific DMT1 knockout mice. In preparation.
• Gunshin H, Starr CN, DiRenzo C, Fleming MD, Jin J, Greer EL, Sellers VM, Galica SM, Andrews NC. Cybrd1 (duodenal cytochrome b) is not necessary for dietary iron absorption in mice. Blood 2005; 106(8): 2879-83.
• Gunshin H, Jin J, Fujiwara Y, Andrews NC. Analysis of E399D mutation in SLC11A2 (human DMT1). Blood 2005, 106(6): 2221-2.  Letter to the editor
• Gunshin H, Fujiwara Y, Custodio AO, DiRenzo C, Robine S, Andrews NC. Slc11a2 (divalent metal-ion transporter 1, DMT1) is required for intestinal iron absorption and erythropoiesis but dispensable in placenta and liver. J. Clin. Invest. 2005, 115(5): 1258-1266.
• Gunshin H, Allerson C, Rogers J, Polycarpou-Schwarz M, Rofts A, Rogers JT, Kishi F, Hentze MW, Rouault TA, Andrews NC and Hediger MA. Iron‑dependent regulation of the divalent metal ion transporter. FEBS Letters 2001, 509: 309-316
• Gunshin H, Mackenzie B, Berger UV, Gunshin Y, Romero M, Boron W, Nussberger S, Gollan JL, and Hediger MA.  Cloning and characterization of a proton-coupled mammalian metal ion transporter. Nature 1997, 388: 482-488.

Recent Grants:

• Basic Research Junior Scholar Award (American Hematology Society): "Molecular mechanisms of liver iron overload", submitted for the 8/31/06 deadline.
• Child Health Research Grant (Charles H. Hood Foundation): "Genetic Analysis of the Iron Transporters in Growing Mice", submitted for the 9/27/06 deadline
• Faculty Research Grant (UMass Amhers)t: "Molecular Approaches to Understanding Intestinal Heme Iron Absorption in Mice", submitted for the 10/13/06 deadline
• Individual Allocation - grant for Junior Faculty (American Cancer Society, UMass Worcester Institutional Research Grant): "Understanding Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Iron Accumulation towards the Goal of Preventing Hepatocellular Cancer", submitted for the 10/16/06 deadline
• 2001 - 2004: NIH K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award, NIDDK, NIH (K01-DK02804), PI, “Cloning of Mammalian Liver Iron Transporter, DMT2”
• 2000 - 2003: ADHF (American Digestive Health Foundation)/FDHN (Foundation of Digestive Health and Nutrition)/AGA Research Scholar Award, PI, “Cloning of Mammalian Liver Iron Transporter”
• 2000: The Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program at The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies in Harvard University, PI, “Regulation and Pathophysiology of Metal-ion Transport”
• 1997 - 1999: Individual National Research Service Award, NIDDK, NIH (F32 DK09687)

Teaching:

Graduate Seminar – Human Nutrition