Associate Vice Provost for Research Professor, School of Molecular Biosciences Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164-1033   Phone: 509-335-9141 E-mail: alderete@wsu.edu Ph.D., 1978, University of Kansas-Microbiology RESEARCH INTERESTS: The focus of our area of research is the characterization at the molecular level of the mechanisms of pathogenesis for the number one sexually transmitted infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. We are studying the biology of the host and parasite interrelationship and identifying virulence factors that are candidates for point of care diagnostics and/or vaccines. RESEARCH SUMMARY: The following represent recent noteworthy accomplishments: 1) Membrane proteins that mediate cytoadherence to vaginal epithelial cells have been identified. 2) Significant membrane remodeling results from distinct signaling pathways involving iron and contact with host cells. 3) Numerous metabolic enzymes were discovered to be secreted and become anchorless, surface-associated with the organisms. These enzymes then express functional diversity as receptors for host proteins that then become host pathogenicity factors. For example, GAPDH is the receptor for fibronectin and alpha-enolase is the receptor for plasminogen. 4) A point-of-care diagnostic sold by Genzyme, Inc. was invented, and this diagnostic was the direct result of basic research studying the property of adherence. REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS Mazet, M., M. Diogon, J.F. Alderete, C. Vivares, and F. Delbac. 2008. First molecular characterization of hydrogenosomes in the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis. Int’l. J. Parasitol. 38:177-190. PMID 17697679. Mundodi, V., A.S. Kucknoor, and J.F. Alderete. 2008. alpha-Enolase is a surface associated plasminogen-binding protein of Trichomonas vaginalis. Infect. Immun., 76:523-531. Alvarez-Sanchez, M.E., B. I. Carvajal-Gamez, E. Solano-Gonzalez, M. Martinez-Benitez, A.F. Garcia, J.F. Alderete, and R. Arroyo. 2008. Polyamine depletion down-regulates gene expression of the Trichomonas vaginalis cytotoxic CP65, a 65-kDa cysteine proteinase involved n cellular damage. Intl. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. July issue. Sutcliffe, S., I. Kawachi, J.F. Alderete, A. M. De Marzo, C. A. Gaydos, L. P. Jacobson, F. J. Jenkins, R. P. Viscidi, and J. M. Zenilman, and E. A. Platz. Correlates of sexually transmitted infection histories in a cohort of older American male health professionals. Cancer, Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., Submitted March 2008. Alderete, J.F and Members-External Advisory Committee. 2007. Report by the External Advisory Committee—Review of RCMI Program at Hunter College. January 17-18. 54. Alderete, J.F. and Members-Special Working Group. 2007. Recommendations by Working Group on Roadmap and Health Disparities, NCMHD/NIH, January 31. Alderete, J.F and Members-External Advisory Committee. 2006. Report by the External Advisory Committee—Review of RCMI Program at Hunter College. January 26-27. 53.