Education

Postdoctoral Fellowship. Columbia University, 1995

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Griffith University (Australia), 1992

Postoctoral Fellowship, University of Melbourne (Australia), 1990

PhD, Institute of Normal Physiology (Russia), 1987

MD, Moscow 2nd Medical Institute (Russia), 1983

Research Interest

My research program is aimed at understanding the epigenetic mechanisms that control developmental changes in susceptibility to neurological and metabolic disorders, as well as disease prevention. Epigenetic mechanisms refer to the molecular processes that regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Our research is focused on exploring the specific role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in epigenetic regulation. MiRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that work as master regulators of gene expression by binding to the mRNA of target genes and inhibiting their translation. This post-transcriptional regulation by miRNAs is crucial for many biological processes, including development, differentiation, and disease. Our research is concentrated on two primary areas. The first area examines the epigenetic effects that the Western diet and exercise have on the offspring's vulnerability to neurological and metabolic disorders. The second area investigates the role of miRNAs in the molecular mechanisms of neuronal injury and axon regeneration.

To understand how epigenetic changes affect susceptibility to neurodegeneration and metabolic dysfunction, we employ translational, genomic, and proteomic techniques. In addition, we make use of genetically modified Drosophila and mouse models.

Our goal is to gain a better understanding of the complex interplay between miRNAs and epigenetic mechanisms, and how these processes contribute to normal cellular function and disease pathogenesis. We anticipate that this investigation will provide insight into the fundamental functions of these molecular mechanisms and their potential as therapeutic targets.

Teaching Interest

I am enthusiastic about teaching neuroscience and cell physiology courses at the professional, graduate, and undergraduate levels. I developed and taught Neuroscience modules to medical, dental, PA, and nursing students at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.

Awards & Honors

2023, NIEHS K99/R00 Special Emphasis Panel

2018-2023, American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), for the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)

2022, Health Sciences Author Recognition Award for dedication and scholarly contributions to education and research, William E. Laupus Library, East Carolina University

2022, National Science Foundation (NSF), ad-hoc reviewer

2021, Health Sciences Author Recognition Award for dedication and scholarly contributions to education and research, William E. Laupus Library, East Carolina University

2020, FWF Austrian Science Fund, reviewer

2020, Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) for the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)

2020, Czech Science Foundation, reviewer

2019, Associate Editor, Frontiers in Cellular Neurophysiology

2018-2019, NASA, Cellular Molecular Biology Study Section

Publications

Murashov AK, Pak ES, Mar J, O’Brien K, Fisher-Wellman KS and Bhat KM. Paternal Western diet causes transgenerational increase in food consumption in Drosophila with parallel alterations in the offspring brain proteome and microRNAs., FASEB J. 2023 Jun;37(6):e22966. doi: 10.1096/fj.202300239RR.

Pak ES and Murashov AK. Drosophila Passive Avoidance Behavior as a New Paradigm to Study Associative Aversive Learning. J Vis Exp. 2022 Feb 23;(180).

Murashov AK, Pak ES, Lin CT, Boykov IN, Buddo KA, Mar J, Bhat KM, Neufer PD. Preference and detrimental effects of high fat, sugar, and salt diet in wild-caught Drosophila simulans are reversed by flight exercise. FASEB Bioadv. 2021 Jan; 3(1): 49–64. doi: 10.1096/fba.2020-00079.

Salem, F. B., Bunner, W. P., Prabhu, V. V., Kuyateh, A. B., O'Bryant, C. T., Murashov, A. K., Szatmari, E. M. & Hughes, R. M. CofActor: A light- and stress-gated optogenetic clustering tool to study disease-associated cytoskeletal dynamics in living cells. J Biol Chem 295, 11231-11245, doi:10.1074/jbc.RA119.012427 (2020).

Ross, S. P., Baker, K. E., Fisher, A., Hoff, L., Pak, E. S. & Murashov, A. K. miRNA-431 Prevents Amyloid-beta-Induced Synapse Loss in Neuronal Cell Culture Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Silencing Kremen1. Front Cell Neurosci 12, 87, doi:10.3389/fncel.2018.00087 (2018).

Murashov, A. K. RNAi and MicroRNA-Mediated Gene Regulation in Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 1622, 15-25, doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-7108-4_2 (2017).

Pan, X., Murashov, A. K., Stellwag, E. J. & Zhang, B. Using Quantitative Real-Time PCR to Detect MicroRNA Expression Profile During Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation. Methods Mol Biol 1622, 255-265, doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-7108-4_18 (2017).

Hall, M. K., Weidner, D. A., Dayal, S., Pak, E., Murashov, A. K. & Schwalbe, R. A. Membrane Distribution and Activity of a Neuronal Voltage-Gated K+ Channel is Modified by Replacement of Complex Type N-Glycans with Hybrid Type. J Glycobiol 6, doi:10.4172/2168-958X.1000128 (2017).

Murashov, A. K., Pak, E. S., Koury, M., Ajmera, A., Jeyakumar, M., Parker, M., Williams, O., Ding, J., Walters, D. & Neufer, P. D. Paternal long-term exercise programs offspring for low energy expenditure and increased risk for obesity in mice. FASEB Journal 30, 775-784, doi:10.1096/fj.15-274274 (2016).

Glazova, M. V., Pak, E. S. & Murashov, A. K. Neurogenic potential of spinal cord organotypic culture. Neurosci Lett 594, 60-65, doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2015.03.041 (2015).

Grant Funding

NIDDK R01 AWD-21-0814 Murashov (PI). "Role of miRNAs in the transmission of metabolic risks." Total: $1,065,293. Period: May 1, 2022-March 31, 2025.

1 T34 GM145524-01A1 Murashov (Co-I). “MARC AT EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY.” Total: 1,981,664. Start date 06/01/2023.

NIEHS R15 Award # RES029673A, Murashov (PI). “Paternal programming of thrifty phenotype.” Total: $442,500.00. Period: 09/13/19-08/31/22

The Brody Brothers Endowment, Murashov (PI). “Identification of paternal markers for childhood obesity.” Total: $39,050.00. Period: 02/01/16-12/31/18.