Tolunay Beker Aydemir
Tolunay Beker Aydemir
Assistant Professor
Division of Nutritional Sciences

Curriculum vitae

Office

225 Savage Hall

Biography

Tolunay Beker Aydemir, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Molecular Nutrition at Cornell University Division of Nutritional Sciences.  She graduated from Ankara University with a BS degree in Biology. She obtained her Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Florida College of Medicine. She completed her postdoctoral studies in the Nutritional Genomics Laboratory, Center for Nutritional Sciences at University of Florida.

Aydemir research group is aimed at developing a greater understanding of how zinc and manganese function to regulate different cellular processes central to maintaining homeostasis, and thus health. 

Student opportunities

Indication of whether or not this person is accepting new undergraduate and graduate students is shown by academic year below.

Graduate students

Availability by term
2023 - 2024 Available

Undergraduate students

Availability by term
2023 - 2024 Available
Related websites

Google Scholar Aydemir

PubMed Aydemir

AydemirLab

Social media accounts

X Social

Research activities

Our overall research interests center on how transporter-mediated zinc and manganese mobilization function to regulate diverse cellular processes in health and disease.

1- Zinc is an essential micronutrient which is now recognized as a signaling molecule in addition to its well-characterized regulatory, catalytic, and structural roles. The maintenance of zinc homeostasis and the targeted cellular function of zinc is facilitated by two families of metal transporters, ZIP and ZnT. ZIP14/SLC39A14 is a ZIP family member, which traffics metals into the cytoplasm. Whole-body knockout (KO) of the Zip14 in mice alters zinc homeostasis and creates a phenotype with key features of metabolic endotoxemia (low-grade chronic inflammation). This signature includes increased intestinal permeability, elevated serum endotoxin levels, increased adiposity coupled with up-regulated cytokine expression and insulin insensitivity in adipose tissue, and enlarged pancreatic islets with greater serum insulin. Using both in vitro cell culture systems and in vivo whole-body and tissue-specific conditional (intestine, pancreatic beta-cells, and liver) Zip14 KO mouse models we aim to answer three main questions:

  1. What is the role of ZIP14-mediated zinc transport in intestinal barrier function, specifically in the gut microbiota profile and corresponding host response?
  2. What is the role of ZIP14-mediated zinc transport in pancreatic insulin biosynthesis and secretion?
  3. What is the role of ZIP14-mediated zinc transport in hepatic glucose metabolism?

2- Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient. Impaired Mn homeostasis results in excess Mn and neurotoxicity.  ZIP14/SLC39A14 is a ZIP family transmembrane protein that regulates intracellular manganese and iron in addition to Zn. Recently, it has been shown that humans carrying ZIP14 mutations develop childhood-onset parkinsonism and dystonia. This phenotype was recapitulated in Zip14 knockout (KO) mice. However, the mechanism of  ZIP14-mediated Mn detoxification and how defective ZIP14 function leads to Mn overload, systemic and neuroinflammation have not been well-characterized. Using whole-body and intestine-specific Zip14 KO mouse models, we will investigate the organ/tissue-specific role of ZIP14-mediated Mn transport in Mn homeostasis. The three main aims are:

  1. Determine if ZIP14 at the BL membrane of enterocytes provides an alternate route for systemic Mn detoxification.
  2. Determine if ZIP14 at the BL membrane of brain endothelial cells regulates Mn detoxification and if defective ZIP14 function leads to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
  3. Determine if impaired intestinal barrier function and low-grade chronic inflammation in Zip14 KO mice contribute to ZIP14-associated parkinsonism.
Teaching and advising statement

I believe that being able to transmit knowledge and share my passion with students is a privilege in life. I know that my passion for learning will never end, and I hope I can transmit this to my current and future students. 

Courses taught

NS6310: Micronutrients: Function, Homeostasis, and Assessment-Minerals

NS3450: Introduction to Physiochemical and Biological Aspects of Food

NS4010: Empirical Research (Independent Study)

NS4030: Teaching Apprenticeship (Independent Study)

Selected publications

 

  1. Hung YH, Kim Y, Mitchell SB, Thorn TL, Aydemir TB.* Absence of Slc39a14/Zip14 in mouse pancreatic beta cells results in hyperinsulinemia. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Jan 1;326(1):E92-E105. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00117.2023. PubMed PMID: 38019082.
  2. Mitchell SB, Thorn TL, Lee MT, Kim Y, Comrie JMC, Bai ZS, Johnson EL, Aydemir TB.* Metal transporter SLC39A14/ZIP14 modulates regulation between the gut microbiome and host metabolism. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2023 Dec 1;325(6):G593-G607. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00091.2023. Epub 2023 Oct 24. PubMed PMID: 37873588.
  3. Mitchell SB, Hung YH, Thorn TL, Zou J, Baser F, Gulec S, Cheung C, Aydemir TB.* Sucrose-induced hyperglycemia dysregulates intestinal zinc metabolism and integrity: risk factors for chronic diseases. Front Nutr. 2023 Aug 11;10:1220533. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1220533. PMID: 37637953; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10450956.
  4. Sun T, Wang K, Wyman B, Sudibyo H, Liu G, Beal C, Manning S, Johnson ZI, Aydemir TB, Tester JW, Lei XG. Supplemental dietary full-fatted and defatted Desmodesmus sp. exerted similar effects on growth performance, gut health, and excreta hydrothermal liquefaction of broiler chicks. Algal Research. 2021 54(2021);102205, ISSN 2211-9264, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2021.102205.
  5. Gheller ME, Vermeylen F, Handzlik MK, Gheller BJ, Bender E, Metallo C, Aydemir TB, Smriga M, Thalacker-Mercer AE. Tolerance to graded dosages of histidine supplementation in healthy human adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Nov 11;112(5):1358-1367. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa210. PubMed PMID: 32766885.
  6. Lin M, Colon-Perez LM, Sambo DO, Miller DR, Lebowitz JJ, Jimenez-Rondan F, Cousins RJ, Horenstein N, Aydemir TB, Febo M, Khoshbouei H. Mechanism of Manganese Dysregulation of Dopamine Neuronal Activity. J Neurosci. 2020 Jul 22;40(30):5871-5891. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2830-19.2020. Epub 2020 Jun 23. PubMed PMID: 32576620; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7380961.
  7. Aydemir TB*, Thorn TL, Ruggiero CH, Pompilus M, Febo M, Cousins RJ. Intestine-specific deletion of metal transporter Zip14 (Slc39a14) causes brain manganese overload and locomotor defects of manganism. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2020 Apr 1;318(4):G673-G681. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00301.2019. Epub 2020 Jan 31. PubMed PMID: 32003605; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7191460.
  8. Kim J, Aydemir TB, Jimenez-Rondan FR, Ruggiero CH, Kim MH, Cousins RJ. Deletion of metal transporter Zip14 (Slc39a14) produces skeletal muscle wasting, endotoxemia, Mef2c activation and induction of miR-675 and Hspb7. Sci Rep. 2020 Mar 4;10(1):4050. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-61059-2. PubMed PMID: 32132660; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7055249.
  9. Hendrickx G, Borra VM, Steenackers E, Yorgan TA, Hermans C, Boudin E, Waterval JJ, Jansen IDC, Aydemir TB, Kamerling N, Behets GJ, Plumeyer C, D'Haese PC, Busse B, Everts V, Lammens M, Mortier G, Cousins RJ, Schinke T, Stokroos RJ, Manni JJ, Van Hul W. Conditional mouse models support the role of SLC39A14 (ZIP14) in Hyperostosis Cranialis Interna and in bone homeostasis. PLoS Genet. 2018 Apr;14(4):e1007321. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007321. eCollection 2018 Apr. PubMed PMID: 29621230; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5903675.
  10. Aydemir TB*, Cousins RJ. The Multiple Faces of the Metal Transporter ZIP14 (SLC39A14). J Nutr. 2018 Feb 1;148(2):174-184. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxx041. Review. PubMed PMID: 29490098; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6251594.
  11. Kim MH, Aydemir TB, Kim J, Cousins RJ. Hepatic ZIP14-mediated zinc transport is required for adaptation to endoplasmic reticulum stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 Jul 18;114(29):E5805-E5814. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1704012114. Epub 2017 Jul 3. PubMed PMID: 28673968; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5530682.
  12. Aydemir TB, Kim MH, Kim J, Colon-Perez LM, Banan G, Mareci TH, Febo M, Cousins RJ. Metal Transporter Zip14 (Slc39a14) Deletion in Mice Increases Manganese Deposition and Produces Neurotoxic Signatures and Diminished Motor Activity. J Neurosci. 2017 Jun 21;37(25):5996-6006. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0285-17.2017. Epub 2017 May 23. PubMed PMID: 28536273; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5481939.
  13. Aydemir TB, Troche C, Kim J, Kim MH, Teran OY, Leeuwenburgh C, Cousins RJ. Aging amplifies multiple phenotypic defects in mice with zinc transporter Zip14 (Slc39a14) deletion. Exp Gerontol. 2016 Dec 1;85:88-94. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2016.09.013. Epub 2016 Sep 16. PubMed PMID: 27647172; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5101137.
  14. Aydemir TB, Troche C, Kim MH, Cousins RJ. Hepatic ZIP14-mediated Zinc Transport Contributes to Endosomal Insulin Receptor Trafficking and Glucose Metabolism. J Biol Chem. 2016 Nov 11;291(46):23939-23951. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M116.748632. Epub 2016 Oct 4. PubMed PMID: 27703010; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5104920.
  15. Kim MH, Aydemir TB, Cousins RJ. Dietary Zinc Regulates Apoptosis through the Phosphorylated Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α/Activating Transcription Factor-4/C/EBP-Homologous Protein Pathway during Pharmacologically Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Livers of Mice. J Nutr. 2016 Nov;146(11):2180-2186. doi: 10.3945/jn.116.237495. Epub 2016 Sep 7. PubMed PMID: 27605406; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5086795.
  16. Troche C, Aydemir TB, Cousins RJ. Zinc transporter Slc39a14 regulates inflammatory signaling associated with hypertrophic adiposity. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Feb 15;310(4):E258-68. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00421.2015. Epub 2015 Dec 8. PubMed PMID: 26646099; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4971811.
  17. Lais LL, de Lima Vale SH, Xavier CA, de Araujo Silva A, Aydemir TB, Cousins RJ. Effect of A One-Week Balanced Diet on Expression of Genes Related to Zinc Metabolism and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetic Patients. Clin Nutr Res. 2016 Jan;5(1):26-32. doi: 10.7762/cnr.2016.5.1.26. Epub 2016 Jan 29. PubMed PMID: 26839874; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4731859.
  18. Guthrie GJ, Aydemir TB, Troche C, Martin AB, Chang SM, Cousins RJ. Influence of ZIP14 (slc39A14) on intestinal zinc processing and barrier function. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2015 Feb 1;308(3):G171-8. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00021.2014. Epub 2014 Nov 26. Review. PubMed PMID: 25428902; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4312952.
  19. Martin AB, Aydemir TB, Guthrie GJ, Samuelson DA, Chang SM, Cousins RJ. Gastric and colonic zinc transporter ZIP11 (Slc39a11) in mice responds to dietary zinc and exhibits nuclear localization. J Nutr. 2013 Dec;143(12):1882-8. doi: 10.3945/jn.113.184457. Epub 2013 Oct 2. PubMed PMID: 24089422; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3827636.
  20. Aydemir TB, Chang SM, Guthrie GJ, Maki AB, Ryu MS, Karabiyik A, Cousins RJ. Zinc transporter ZIP14 functions in hepatic zinc, iron and glucose homeostasis during the innate immune response (endotoxemia). PLoS One. 2012;7(10):e48679. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048679. Epub 2012 Oct 24. PubMed PMID: 23110240; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3480510.
  21. Aydemir TB, Sitren HS, Cousins RJ. The zinc transporter Zip14 influences c-Met phosphorylation and hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration in mice. Gastroenterology. 2012 Jun;142(7):1536-46.e5. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2012.02.046. Epub 2012 Feb 25. PubMed PMID: 22374166; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3635537.
  22. Ryu MS, Guthrie GJ, Maki AB, Aydemir TB, Cousins RJ. Proteomic analysis shows the upregulation of erythrocyte dematin in zinc-restricted human subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 May;95(5):1096-102. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.032862. Epub 2012 Mar 28. PubMed PMID: 22456662; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3325834.
  23. Cousins RJ, Aydemir TB, Lichten LA. Plenary Lecture 2: Transcription factors, regulatory elements and nutrient-gene communication. Proc Nutr Soc. 2010 Feb;69(1):91-4. doi: 10.1017/S0029665109991790. Epub 2009 Dec 8. Review. PubMed PMID: 19968906; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3790273.
  24. Aydemir TB, Liuzzi JP, McClellan S, Cousins RJ. Zinc transporter ZIP8 (SLC39A8) and zinc influence IFN-gamma expression in activated human T cells. J Leukoc Biol. 2009 Aug;86(2):337-48. doi: 10.1189/jlb.1208759. Epub 2009 Apr 28. PubMed PMID: 19401385; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2726764.
  25. Aydemir TB, Blanchard RK, Cousins RJ. Zinc supplementation of young men alters metallothionein, zinc transporter, and cytokine gene expression in leukocyte populations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Feb 7;103(6):1699-704. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0510407103. Epub 2006 Jan 24. PubMed PMID: 16434472; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1413653.
  26. Liuzzi JP, Lichten LA, Rivera S, Blanchard RK, Aydemir TB, Knutson MD, Ganz T, Cousins RJ. Interleukin-6 regulates the zinc transporter Zip14 in liver and contributes to the hypozincemia of the acute-phase response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 May 10;102(19):6843-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0502257102. Epub 2005 Apr 29. PubMed PMID: 15863613; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1100791.
  27. Pai SB, Bozdayi AM, Pai RB, Beker T, Sarioglu M, Turkyilmaz AR, Grier J, Yurdaydin C, Schinazi RF. Emergence of a novel mutation in the FLLA region of hepatitis B virus during lamivudine therapy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2005 Jul;49(7):2618-24. doi: 10.1128/AAC.49.7.2618-2624.2005. PubMed PMID: 15980328; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1168680.
  28. Pai SB, Pai RB, Xie MY, Beker T, Shi J, Tharnish PM, Chu CK, Schinazi RF. Characterization of hepatitis B virus inhibition by novel 2'-fluoro-2',3'-unsaturated beta-D- and L-nucleosides. Antivir Chem Chemother. 2005;16(3):183-92. doi: 10.1177/095632020501600304. PubMed PMID: 16004081
  29. Ryu MS, Aydemir TB. 2020. Chapter 23. Zinc. Present Knowledge in Nutrition: Basic Nutrition and Metabolism, Eleventh Edition. Elsevier
  30. Grider A, Aydemir TB. 2024. Chapter 35. Zinc, Copper, and Manganese. Biochemical, Physiological, and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition, Fifth edition. Elsevier

 

Professional activities

2020-                           Member, The International Society for Zinc Biology

2020-                           Member, American Physiological Society

2010–                          Member, American Society for Nutrition

2010–                          Member, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

2011–2019                  Member, Sigma Xi

Administrative positions

Graduate student admission committee

Education

B.S., Biology, Ankara University Science Faculty

M.S., Molecular Hepatology, Ankara University School of Medicine

Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, College of Medicine

Postdoc., Nutritional Genomics Laboratory, University of Florida, Center for Nut. Sci.

View all people