Dr Gabriel Mutungi
| Job Title | Contact | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Lecturer |
G dot Mutungi at uea dot ac dot uk
Tel: +44 (0)1603 59 1323 |
Career
- 2004-Present Lecturer in Physiology, School of Medicine, Health Policy & Practice, University of East Anglia.
- 1998-2003 Research Fellow, Department of Physiology, University of Bristol.
- 1993-1998 Research Associate, Department of Physiology, University of Bristol.
- 1992-1993 Research Assistant, Muscle and Collagen Research Group, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Bristol, Langford.
- 1990-1992 Senior Lecturer, Department of Physiology, University of Nairobi.
- 1987-1990 Lecturer, Department of Animal Physiology, University of Nairobi.
- 1983-1987 Tutorial Fellow, Department of Animal Physiology, University of Nairobi.
Academic Background
- Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) – University of Nairobi.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physiology – University of St. Andrews
Key Research Interests
The transcriptional regulation of postnatal skeletal muscle fibre type differentiation and specification
In mammals born immature, including humans, all skeletal muscles are slow contracting at birth. They then progressively differentiate and by the time the animals are weaned they have changed into the two distinct adult muscle types, fast and slow twitch. Our research aims at understanding the cellular signaling pathways that regulate this change.
Loss of skeletal muscle strength in old age: the role of passive muscle visco-elasticity
Skeletal muscles allow us to perform daily tasks, such as movement, that are fundamental to human existence. However, as we age beyond 65 years our muscles become weak and our ability to perform these tasks becomes progressively impaired, a condition referred to as sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is characterised by the slowing of movement and loss of skeletal muscle strength. The aim of our research is to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying sarcopenia and how to prevent it from occurring.
The effects of immunosuppressants on the contractile properties of mammalian skeletal muscle
The immunosuppressants cyclosporin A (Sandimmune®) and FK506 (Tacrolimus®) are widely used as pharacological inhibitors of the calcium-activated protein phosphatase, calcineurin (Cn). They are also widely used as immunosuppressants following allogeneic organ transplant. Our laboratory is investigating the effects of these pharmacological agents on skeletal muscle contraction.
Teaching Interests
· I teach human physiology to all students enrolled on the MBBS medical degree program.
· I am a year 4 PBL tutor.
Article
Hamdi, MM and Mutungi, G (2011) Dihydrotestosterone stimulates amino acid uptake and the expression of LAT2 in mouse skeletal muscle fibres through an ERK1/2-dependent mechanism. The Journal of Physiology, 589 (14). pp. 3623-3640. ISSN 0022-3751
McCormick, C, Alexandre, L, Thompson, J and Mutungi, G (2010) Clenbuterol and formoterol decrease force production in isolated intact mouse skeletal muscle fibre bundles through a beta2-adrenoceptor-independent mechanism. Journal of Applied Physiology, 109 (6). pp. 1716-1727.
Hamdi, MM and Mutungi, G (2010) Dihydrotestosterone activates the MAPK pathway and modulates maximum isometric force through the EGF receptor in isolated intact mouse skeletal muscle fibres. The Journal of Physiology, 588 (3). pp. 511-525.
Hamdi, MM and Mutungi, G (2010) Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)increases the uptake of isoleucine in mouse fast-twitch fibre bundles through an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-dependent mechanism. Proc Physiol Soc, 19. PC71.
Mutungi, G and Alexandre, L (2010) The effects of clenbuterol on force in isolated intact mouse skeletal muscle fibre bundles are not mediated through beta2-adrenoceptor. Proc Physiol Soc, 19. p. 63.
Hamdi, MM and Mutungi, G (2009) The Rapid Actions of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS) Are Mediated through the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor(EGFR). The Journal of General Physiology , 134 (1). 10A-11A.
Hamdi, MM and Mutungi, G (2009) Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) modulates force production in isolated mouse skeletal muscles by regulating the phosphorylation of myosin light chains by ERK 1 & 2. Proceedings of Physiological Society, 15. PC51.
Treen, D and Mutungi, G (2009) The beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, clenbuterol, decreases force in isolated intact mouse fast and slow skeletal muscle fibres. Proc Physiol Soc, 15. C77.
Ogunwobi, OO, Mutungi, G and Beales, ILP (2008) Isothiocyanates inhibits proliferation of barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells. Gut, 57. A127-A127.
Mutungi, G (2008) The expression of NFATc1 in adult rat skeletal muscle fibres. Experimental Physiology, 93 (3). pp. 399-406.
Mutungi, G (2008) The effects of androstanolone (a synthetic DHT) on maximum isometric force in intact mouse skeletal muscle fibres. Proceedings of Physiological Society, 11. C56.
Mutungi, G and Bell, C (2008) Commonly used loading controls in Western Blot studies are not suitable for use in post-natal rat skeletal muscles. Proceedings of Physiological Society, 11. p. 93.
Beales, ILP, Ogunwobi, OO, Cameron, E, El Amin, K, Mutungi, GM and Wilkinson, M (2007) Activation of Akt is increased in the dysplasia-carcinoma sequence in Barrett's oesophagus and contributes to increased proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis: a histopathological and functional study. BMC Cancer, 7 (97).
Mutungi, GM (2007) The age-dependent changes in the viscous, visco-elastic and elastic properties of intact rat fast and slow skeletal muscle fibres. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 28 (4). p. 39.
Beales, ILP, Ogunwobi, OO, Cameron, E, Elamin, K, Mutungi, GM and Wilkinson, M (2006) Mechanisms of the growth factor and anti-apoptotic actions of leptin in oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells. Gut, 55. pp. 88-89.
Ogunwobi, OO, Mutungi, GM and Beales, ILP (2006) Leptin Stimulates Proliferation and Inhibits Apoptosis in Barrett's Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma Cells by Cox-2 Dependent, Pge2 Mediated Transactivation of the Egf Receptor and Jnk Activation. Endocrinology, 147 (9). pp. 4505-4516.
Mutungi, GM (2005) NFATcl regulates the establishment and maintenance of fatigue resistant fibres in rat fast and slow muscles. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 26. p. 88.
Mutungi, GM (2005) The effects of age on NFAT expression in rat fast and slow muscles. Journal of Physiology, 565P. p. 96.
Mutungi, GM (2004) NFATcl expression in differentiating rat fast and slow muscles. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 25. p. 274.
Mutungi, GM and Edman, KA (2004) The role of the passive stretch in post-natal muscle differentiation. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 25 (2). p. 65.
Mutungi, GM (2003) The effects of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and Arsenate on passive mammalian muscle visco-elasticity in chemically skinned rat fast and slow twitch muscle fibres. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 24 (1). pp. 65-75.
Mutungi, GM and Edman, KA (2003) Stretch-induced contractile activation in resting intact neonatal rat muscle fibres requires a functionally excitable membrane. Journal of Physiology, 548.
Mutungi, GM, Edman, KA and Ranatunga, KW (2003) A mechanical stretch induces contractile activation in unstimulated developing rat skeletal muscle in vitro. Physiology, 551 (1). pp. 93-102.
Mutungi, GM and Edman, KAP (2003) Stretch-induced contractile activation in resting neonatal rat muscle fibres requires a functionally excitable membrane. Journal of Physiology, 548.P. p. 93.
Mutungi, GM, Trinick, J and Ranatunga, KW (2003) Resting tension characteristics in differentiating intact rat fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibers. Journal of Applied Physiology, 95 (6). pp. 2241-2247.
Mutungi, GM (2002) Titin expression in adult and neonatal rat fast and slow twitch muscles. Pflugers Archive, 443S. p. 191.
Mutungi, GM and Edman, KAP (2002) Stretch-induced increase in myoplasmic calcium concentrations in resting neonatal rat muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 543.P. p. 103.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2002) Some observations on the tension responses to large stretch/release length changes in resting intact neonatal rat muscle fibres. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 22. p. 606.
Ranatunga, KW, Coupland, ME and Mutungi, GM (2002) An asymmetry in the phosphate dependence of tension transients induced by length perturbation in mammalian (rabbit psoas) muscle fibres. Physiology, 542 (3). pp. 899-910.
Ranatunga, KW, Coupland, ME and Mutungi, GM (2002) Asymmetry in the phosphate dependence of tension transients induced by length perturbation in mammalian (rabbit psoas) muscle fibres. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 23. pp. 12-13.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2001) The effects of ramp stretches on active contractions in intact mammalian fast and slow muscle fibres. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 22 (2). pp. 175-184.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2001) Characteristics of the force-extension hysterisis loop in resting intact neonatal rat muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 536.P. p. 7.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2001) Stretch-induced contractile activation in resting muscle fibres of the neonatal rat. Journal of Physiology, 536.P. p. 88.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2000) Do cross-bridges contribute to the tension during stretch of passive muscle? Response. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 21. pp. 301-302.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2000) Sarcomere length changes during end-held (isometric) contractions in intact mammalian (rat) fast and slow muscle fibres. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 21 (6). pp. 565-575.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2000) Further evidence that cycling cross-brdiges do not contribute to the stretch induced tension response in resting chemically skinned mammalian (rat) muscle fibres. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 20. pp. 823-824.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2000) An Analysis of the tension response to a ramp stretch in tetanized intact mammalian fast and slow muscle fibres. Biophysical Journal, 78. p. 1356.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2000) Passive visco-elasticity in intact neonatal rat muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 525.P. pp. 86-87.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2000) Force-extension of resting intact mammalian (rat) fast and slow muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 526.P. pp. 33-34.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1999) Some observations during twitch contractions in mammalian (rat) muscle fibres. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 20. p. 102.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1999) Ramp stretch-induced changes in the twitch tension in mammalian (rat) muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 518.P. pp. 88-89.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1998) Temperature dependent changes in the visco-elasticity of intact mammalian (rat) fast and slow muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 508. pp. 253-265.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1998) The effects of chemical skinning on the tension response to ramp stretch in mammalian (rat) Muscle fibres. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 19. pp. 287-288.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1998) Effects of reducing sarcomere length on twitch contraction in mammalian (rat) muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 511.P. pp. 155-156.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1997) Characteristics of the short range elasticity (SRE) in mammalian (rat) muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 493. p. 7.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1997) Sarcomere length changes during twitch contractions in mammalian (rat) muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 504. p. 39.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1997) Viscous like resistance to stretch in active mammalian (rat) muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 504. p. 6.
Cooke, E, Mwangangi, DM, Mutungi, GM, Tallis, RC, Clark, AB and Pomeroy, VM (1996) Blood capillary density in locomotor muscles of the fossorial mole-rat, Heterocephalus Glaber. African Journal of Ecology, 34 (2). pp. 231-233.
Crockford, T, Johnston, IA, McAndrew, BJ and Mutungi, GM (1996) Contractile properties and the inheritance of myosin heavy chains in Oreochromis species with different temperature tolerances. Journal of Fish Biology, 49. pp. 541-544.
Mutungi, GM, Purslow, PP and Warkup, C (1996) The influence of temperature, fibre diameter and conditioning on the mechanical properties of single muscle fibres extended to fracture. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 72 (3). pp. 359-366.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1996) Tension relaxation after stretch in resting mammalian muscle fibres: stretch activation at physiological temperatures. Biophysical Journal, 70. pp. 1432-1438.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1996) The visco-elasticity of resting intact mammalian (rat) fast muscle fibres. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 17 (3). pp. 357-364.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1996) The viscous, visco-elastic and elastic characteristics of resting intact mammalian (rat) fast and slow muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 496 (3). pp. 827-836.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1996) Visco-elasticity of relaxed, intact, mammalian (rat) slow muscle fibres. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 17. p. 112.
Mutungi, GM, Purslow, PP and Warkup, C (1995) Structural and mechanical changes in raw and cooked single porcine muscle fibres extended to fracture. Meat Science, 40 (2). pp. 217-234.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1995) Tension responses to ramp stretch in resting intact slow twitch rat muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 438. p. 80.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1995) Effects of temperature on the visco-elasticity of intact, ralaxed, fast (rat) muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology, 487. p. 153.
Mutungi, GM, Kotonya, R and Kanja, LW (1994) Organochloride peesticides in swine tissues from abbatoir material collected in Nairobi, Kenya. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 53. pp. 39-45.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1994) Tension responses to stretch in resting intact mammalian (rat) muscle fibres at different temperature. Journal of Physiology, 476. p. 1.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1994) Stretch induced tension responses in resting intact rat muscle fibres at different temperatures. Journal of Physiology, 479. p. 157.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (1994) The effects of stretch velocity on the rising phase of ramp stretch-induced tension responses in resting intact rat muscle fibres at 10 and 35 degrees centigrade. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 16. p. 154.
Mwangangi, DM and Mutungi, GM (1994) The effects of temperature acclimation on the oxygen consumption and enzyme activity of red and white muscle fibres isolated from the freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus. Journal of Fish Biology, 44 (6). pp. 1033-1043.
Mutungi, GM and Johnston, IA (1993) Influence of strain on the power output of fast and slow myotomal muscle fibres in tropical fish. Journal of Physiology, 459. p. 9.
Mutungi, GM (1992) Slow locomotion in chameleons: Histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of muscle fibres isolated from the iliofibularis muscle of Jackson's chameleon (Chameleo jacksonii). Journal of Experimental Zoology, 263 (1). pp. 1-7.
Crockford, T, Womack, KE, Johnston, IA, McAndrew, BJ, Mutungi, GM and Johnston, TP (1991) Inter- and intra-specific variation in myosin light chain and troponin I composition in fast fibres from two species of fish (genus Oreochromis) which have different temperature-dependent contractile properties. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 12 (5). pp. 439-446.
Mutungi, GM (1991) Aquaculture: The solution to third world protein deficiencies. International Bulletin on Animal Health and Production in Africa.. pp. 65-68.
Mutungi, GM (1991) The effect of temperature on the growth rates of two fish species, O. nilotics and S. galilleus. International Bulletin on Animal Health and Production in Africa.. pp. 69-72.
Mutungi, GM (1990) Histochemistry, innervation, capillary density and mitochondrial volume of red and white muscle fibres isolated from a lizard, Varanus exanthematicus. Canadian Journal of Zoology., 68 (3). pp. 476-481.
Mutungi, GM and Johnston, IA (1988) Influence of temperature and pH on the force development and shortening velocity in skinned muscle fibres from fish. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 5. pp. 257-262.
Johnston, IA and Mutungi, GM (1987) Effects of pH on the shortening velocity and tension development in skinned muscle fibres from the cod, Gadus morhua L. Journal of Physiology, 391. p. 115.
Mutungi, GM and Johnston, IA (1987) The effects of temperature and pH on the contractile properties of skinned muscle fibres isolated from the terrapin. Pseudemys scripta elegans. Journal of experimental biology., 128. pp. 87-105.
Johnston, IA and Mutungi, GM (1985) The effects of temperature and pH on the contractile properties of skinned muscle fibres isolated from the iliofibularis muscle of the freshwater tutle, Pseudemys scripta elegans. Journal of Physiology, 367. p. 79.
Mutungi, GM and Treen, D The b-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol decreases force in isolated intact fast and slow mouse skeletal muscle fibre bundles. Proceedings of Physiological Society. (In Press)
Conference or Workshop Item
Ogunwobi, OO, Cameron, E, Elamin, K, Mutungi, GM, Wilkinson, M and Beales, ILP (2006) Mechanisms of the growth factor and anti-apoptotic actions of leptin in oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells. In: The Gastrointestinal Association meeting, Birmingham, UK, Gut.
Mutungi, GM (2005) NFATc1 regulates the establishment and maintenance of fatigue resistant fibres in rat fast and slow muscles. In: Special Issue on XXX111 European Muscle Conference, Hortobay, Hungary, Journal of Muscle Research an.
Mutungi, GM (2005) The effects of age on NFAT expression in rat fast and slow muscles. In: Abstracts of The Physiological Society Meeting, KCL, UK, J Physiol.
Mutungi, GM (2004) The role of the passive stretch in post-natal muscle differentiation. In: XXX111 European Muscle Conference, Isola d'Elba, Italy, Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility.
Mutungi, GM (2003) Stretch-induced contratractile activation in resting neonatal rat muscle fibres requires a functionally excitable membrane. In: Joint Meeting of the Physiological and the Spanish Physiological Societies, Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
Mutungi, GM and Edman, KAP (2003) Stretch-induced contractile activation in resting neonatal rat muscle fibres requires a functionally excitable membrane. In: Abstracts of the joint meeting of The Physiological Society and the Spanish Physiological Society, P.
Mutungi, GM (2002) Titin expression in adult and neonatal rat fast and slow twitch muscles. In: Joint Meeting of The Physiological, German Physiological and Scandinavian Physiological Societies.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2002) Some observations on the tension responses to large stretch/release length changes in resting intact neonatal rat muscle fibres. In: Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility 22, 606, European Muscle Conference, held in Pavia, Italy.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2001) Characteristics of the force-extension hysterisis loop in resting intact neonatal rat muscle fibres. In: A Demonstration to The Physiological Society Meeting, Bristol, Journal of Physiology.
Mutungi, GM and Ranatunga, KW (2001) Stretch-induced contractile activation in resting muscle fibres of the neonatal rat. In: The Physiological Society Meeting, Bristol, UK, Journal of Physiology.
External Activities and Indicators of Esteem
- 2003 - present Honorary research fellow of the Department of Physiology, University of Bristol
Professional Activities
- I review manuscripts for the following journals; The Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology, Biomechanics and Journal of Muscle Research & Cell Motility
- I review all abstracts for the Muscle Contraction special interest group of the Physiological Society
Administrative Posts/Responsibilities
- I am Physiology Domain Lead for years 2 and 4
- I am the Physiology Theme Lead for all years
- I am the Unit Lead for Unit 11 and hence Electives Tutor
- I am the deputy Unit Lead for unit 4
