Mark Ericson, PhD

Our laboratory focuses on understanding and modulating the signaling of class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). We use a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating peptide and chemical synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, computer-assisted modeling, chemical biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, physiology, and neuroscience to develop novel molecular probes to investigate ligand-receptor interactions and design new tool molecules that can be utilized in developing therapies for obesity, weight management, and pain.

• Robert M Scarborough Graduate/Postgraduate Award for Excellence in Medicinal Chemistry (2016), awarded by the American Chemical Society and the Medicinal Chemistry Division
• NIH F32DK108402 Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015-2018)
• American Peptide Symposium Travel Grant (2015)
• University of Iowa College of Pharmacy Dissertation Award Fellow (2012)
• MNPC Graduate Student Travel Award (2012)
• AFPE Fellowship (2009-2012)
• NIH Predoctoral Fellowship in Biotechnology (2008-2011)

1. Ericson, M. D.; Koerperich, Z. M.; Freeman, K. T.; Fleming, K. A.; Haskell-Luevano, C. Arg-Phe-Phe d-amino scid stereochemistry scan in the macrocyclic agouti-related protein antagonist scaffold c[Pro-Arg-Phe-Phe-Xxx-Ala-Phe-DPro] results in unanticipated melanocortin-1 receptor agonist profiles. ACS Chem. Neurosci. 2018, 9, 3015-3023.
2. Fleming, K. A.; Freeman, K. T.; Ericson, M. D.; Haskell-Luevano, C. Synergistic multiresidue substitutions of a macrocyclic c[Pro-Arg-Phe-Phe-Asn-Ala-Phe-dPro] agouti-related protein (AGRP) scaffold yield potent and >600-fold MC4R versus MC3R selective melanocortin receptor antagonists. J. Med. Chem. 2018, 61, 7729-7740.
3. Ericson, M. D.; Haskell-Luevano, C. A review of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in orexigenic neuropeptides targeting G protein-coupled receptors. ACS Chem. Neurosci. 2018, 9, 1235-1246.
4. Fleming, K. A.; Ericson, M. D.; Freeman, K. T.; Adank, D. N.; Lunzer, M. M.; Wilber, S. L.; Haskell-Luevano, C. Structure-activity relationship studies of a macrocyclic AGRP-mimetic scaffold c[Pro-Arg-Phe-Phe-Asn-Ala-Phe-DPro] yield potent and selective melanocortin-4 receptor antagonists and melanocortin-5 receptor inverse agonists that increase food intake in mice. ACS Chem. Neurosci. 2018, 9, 1141-1151.
5. Ericson, M. D.; Singh, A.; Tala, S. R.; Haslach, E. M.; Dirain, M. L. S.; Schaub, J. W.; Flores, V.; Eick, N.; Lensing, C. J.; Freeman, K. T.; Smeester, B. A.; Adank, D. N.; Wilber, S. L.; Speth, R.; Haskell-Luevano, C. Human beta-defensin 1 and beta-defensin 3 (mouse ortholog mBD14) function as full endogenous agonists at select melanocortin receptors. J. Med. Chem. 2018, 61, 3738-3744.