Research Advisor:

George Sutphin

Research Topic:

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism in regulating mitochondrial function and morphology, and its importance in age-associated decline and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Selected Publications:

Dodson M, de la Vega MR, Harder B, Castro-Portuguez R, Rodrigues SD, Wong PK, Chapman E, Zhang DD. (2018). Low-level arsenic causes proteotoxic stress and not oxidative stress. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 341(15): 106-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2018.01.014

Dodson M, Castro-Portuguez R, Zhang DD. (2019). NRF2 plays a critical role in mitigating lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. Redox Biology, 23: 101107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2019.101107

Castro-Portuguez R, Sutphin GL. (2020). Kynurenine pathway, NAD+ synthesis, and mitochondrial function: Targeting tryptophan metabolism to promote longevity and healthspan. Exp Gerontol, 132: 110841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2020.110841

Selected Presentations:

Castro-Portuguez R, Espejo LS, Dang H, Shuck K, Spence E, Sutphin GL. Mechanistic role of mitochondria in mediating the influence of kynurenine pathway on lifespan and cancer. Gordon Research Conference – The Biology of Aging; 2019. Newry, ME.