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Aniko Naray-Fejes-Toth, MD

Title(s)
Emeritus Professor of Physiology and Neurobiology

Department(s)
Physiology and Neurobiology

Education
Semmelweis University, M.D. 1973

Programs
Heart and Vascular Research Center
Program in Experimental and Molecular Medicine

Contact Information

One Medical Center Drive, HB 7700
Lebanon NH 03756

Office: Borwell 736W
Phone: 603-650-2581
Email: Aniko.Fejes-Toth@dartmouth.edu

Assistant: Rhonda Stewart
Asst. Phone: 603-650-6132
Asst. Email: Rhonda.A.Stewart@dartmouth.edu

Professional Interests

The major research interest of Dr. Naray-Fejes-Toth is the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which steroid hormones regulate kidney function and blood pressure. One project in her laboratory focuses on the elucidation of mechanisms that confer aldosterone-selectivity to mineralocorticoid target tissues. This study is based on the observation that the mineralocorticoid apparently cannot distinguish between aldosterone and endogenous glucocorticoids, the blood levels of which are ~1000-fold higher than those of aldosterone. Aldosterone-selectivity in target cells is conferred by an enzyme, 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which metabolizes glucocorticoids to a biologically inactive form, and thereby allows aldosterone to occupy its receptor. Dr. Naray-Fejes-Toth's laboratory discovered a new form of this enzyme, which is specifically present in aldosterone-target cells. The laboratory cloned the cDNA of this novel enzyme and currently examines its intracellular localization and the regulation of its cell-specific expression. Recent studies proved that mutations in the gene of this enzyme causes a fatal disease in children, called apparent mineralocorticoid excess.

Rotations and Thesis Projects

1. The Identification and Characterization of Aldosterone Responsive Genes.
2. SGK1 is an Important Determinant of Sodium Channel Activity in the Mammalian Collecting Duct.
3. Regulation of ENaC Expression by Corticosteroids and SGK1 in Cortical Collecting Duct Cells and Mammary Epithelial Cell.
4. Subcellular location and function studies of the serum and glucocorticoid induced kinase-1 (SGK1).
5. Epithelial Sodium Channel Regulation in the Mouse Kidney: Two Novel Approaches to a Classic Question.

Grant Information

Aldosterone Specificity of Mineralocorticoid Target Cells (NIH/NIDDK)
The role of NDRG1 in collecting duct function. (NIH/NIDDK)
The Role of Cardiovascular Mineralocorticoid Receptors in Health and Disease (NIH/NHLBI)

Selected Publications
 

  • Pearce D, Náray-Fejes-Tóth A, Fejes-Tóth G. Determinants of subnuclear organization of mineralocorticoid receptor characterized through analysis of wild type and mutant receptors. J Biol Chem. 2002 Jan 11;277(2):1451-6. Epub 2001 Oct 24. (view details in PubMed)

  • Helms MN, Fejes-Tóth G, Náray-Fejes-Tóth A. Hormone-regulated transepithelial Na+ transport in mammalian CCD cells requires SGK1 expression. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2003 Mar;284(3):F480-7. Epub 2002 Nov 12. (view details in PubMed)

  • Náray-Fejes-Tóth A, Snyder PM, Fejes-Tóth G. The kidney-specific WNK1 isoform is induced by aldosterone and stimulates epithelial sodium channel-mediated Na+ transport. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Dec 14;101(50):17434-9. Epub 2004 Dec 6. (view details in PubMed)

  • Boyd C, Náray-Fejes-Tóth A. Gene regulation of ENaC subunits by serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2005 Mar;288(3):F505-12. Epub 2004 Nov 9. (view details in PubMed)

  • Náray-Fejes-Tóth A, Fejes-Tóth G. Novel mouse strain with Cre recombinase in 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2-expressing cells. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2007 Jan;292(1):F486-94. Epub 2006 Aug 8. (view details in PubMed)

  • Fejes-Tóth G, Náray-Fejes-Tóth A. Early aldosterone-regulated genes in cardiomyocytes: clues to cardiac remodeling? Endocrinology. 2007 Apr;148(4):1502-10. Epub 2007 Jan 18. (view details in PubMed)

  • Cordas E, Náray-Fejes-Tóth A, Fejes-Tóth G. Subcellular location of serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase-1 in renal and mammary epithelial cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2007 May;292(5):C1971-81. Epub 2007 Jan 3. (view details in PubMed)

  • Boyd C, Náray-Fejes-Tóth A. Steroid-mediated regulation of the epithelial sodium channel subunits in mammary epithelial cells. Endocrinology. 2007 Aug;148(8):3958-67. Epub 2007 May 17. (view details in PubMed)

  • Martel JA, Michael D, Fejes-Tóth G, Náray-Fejes-Tóth A. Melanophilin, a novel aldosterone-induced gene in mouse cortical collecting duct cells. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2007 Sep;293(3):F904-13. Epub 2007 Jul 3. (view details in PubMed)

  • Fejes-Toth G, Frindt G, Naray-Fejes-Toth A, Palmer LG. Epithelial Na+ channel activation and processing in mice lacking SGK1. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2008 Apr 2. [Epub ahead of print] (view details in PubMed)

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