Pandurangan Ramaraj, PhD

Associate Professor

Work: 660.626.2338
Fax: 660.626.2981
Email Address: pramaraj@atsu.edu

Research Interests: Dr. Ramaraj's long-term research goal is to understand the role of hormones on stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration. As a model, he studies the hormone-stimulated differentiation of murine stem cells into muscle or fat cells.

Education:

PhD - Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science (1993)
MS - Medical Biochemistry, University of Madras, (1985)
BS - Chemistry, University of Madras (1982)

Scholarly Activity

Research Publications:

2016 | Ramaraj P. In-vitro inhibition of human melanoma (BLM) cell growth by progesterone receptor antagonist RU-486 (Mifepristone). J Cancer Therapy, 2016;7:1045-1058

2015 | Leder DC [student], Brown JR, Ramaraj P. In-vitro rescue and recovery studies of human melanoma (BLM) cell growth, adhesion and migration functions after treatment with progesterone. Int J Clin Exp Med 2015;8(8):12275-12285

2015 | Cox JL, Chang Y, Ramaraj P. In-Vitro determination of biological and anabolic functions of weak androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) using a variety of cell lines. Open J Endocr Metab Dis, 2015, 5(8) 105-116

2015 | Ramaraj P, Artaza JN, Sinha-Hikim I, Taylor WE. Effect of androstenedione on adipogenesis in murine C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal cells. Open J Endocrin Metab Dis, 2015, 5, 9-18

2014 | Ramaraj P, Cox JL. In vitro effect of progesterone on human melanoma (BLM) cell growth. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2014 Nov 15;7(11):3941-53. eCollection 2014

2014 | Ramaraj P, Cox J. In-vitro effect of sex steroids on mouse melanoma (B16F10) cell growth. CellBio, 2014. 3(2):60-71. doi: 10.4236/cellbio.2014.32007

2004 | Jasuja R, Ramaraj P, Mac RP, Singh AB, Storer TW, Artaza J, Miller A, Singh R, Taylor WE, Lee ML, Davidson T, Sinha-Hikim I, Gonzalez-Cadavid N, Bhasin S. Delta-4-androstene-3,17-dione binds androgen receptor, promotes myogenesis in vitro, and increases serum testosterone levels, fat-free mass, and muscle strength in hypogonadal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Feb;90(2):855-63. Epub 2004 Nov 2

2004 | Ramaraj P, Singh H, Niu N, Chu S, Holtz M, Yee JK, Bhatia R. Effect of mutational inactivation of tyrosine kinase activity on BCR/ABL-induced abnormalities in cell growth and adhesion in human hematopoietic progenitors. Cancer Res. 2004 Aug 1;64(15):5322-31

1999 | Ramaraj P, Rao AJ. Studies on LH modulated 8kDa peptide involved regulation of testosterone production in rat Leydig cells. Asian J Androl. 1999 Dec;1(4):191-4

1999 | Ramaraj P, Rao AJ. Regulation of an 8-kDa peptide involved in testosterone production by luteinizing hormone in rat Leydig cells. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1999 May;47(5):857-63

1998 | Ramaraj P, Kessler SP, Colmenares C, Sen GC. Selective restoration of male fertility in mice lacking angiotensin-converting enzymes by sperm-specific expression of the testicular isozyme. J Clin Invest. 1998 Jul 15;102(2):371-8

1997 | Ghosh A, Desai SY, Sarkar SN, Ramaraj P, Ghosh SK, Bandyopadhyay S, Sen GC. Effects of mutating specific residues present near the amino terminus of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase. J Biol Chem. 1997 Jun 13;272(24):15452-8

1991 | Ramaraj P, Subbarayan VS, Rao JA. A possible role for a low molecular weight peptide in regulation of testosterone production by rat Leydig cells. Indian J Biochem Biophys. 1991 Oct-Dec;28(5-6):536-40

Other Scholarly Publications:

2018 | Ramaraj P. In-vitro effect of steroids on melanoma cell growth – A prelude to melanoma treatment? (Review article), JCT. 2018;9(4):338-350. DOI: 10.4236/jct.2018.94031

2018 | Could IL-8 be the target for melanoma treatment? An in-vitro study based curcumin pre-treatment and IL-8 treatment of human melanoma cell models Poster no. 104, Oct.27, 2018, Kirksville, MO

2018 | Protective effect of silybin against verapamil-induced hepatotoxicity in rats – Experimental Biology meeting, Abstract Number:511.3 April 22, 2018, San Diego, CA.

2018 | Biochemical basis of protection by progesterone in melanoma based on curcumin pre-treatment of human melanoma cell models – 100th Annual Endocrine Society meeting at Chicago, IL, March 17-20,2018. http://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/4482/presentation/7469 https://clinicianinsights.com/document.php?docid=PE20180302070001860&datasource=PHE&trans=view

| Session Chair: Medical oncology, cancer cell biology, immuno oncology and cancer biomarkers at the 27th World oncologists annual conference on Medical oncology, Radiation oncology & Surgical oncology, December 7-8, 2018, Chicago, USA

| Session Chair: Anti-cancer agents and Cancer Therapy, PCS 2nd Global Cancer Conference-India, 2nd June 2018, New Delhi, India

2018 | Reviewed an article for Cells – August 2018

2018 | Reviewed an article for Antioxidants journal – May 2018

2018 | Reviewed an article for Marine drugs – April 2018

2018 | Reviewed an article for Cancers – March 2018

2018 | Reviewed an article for JUMD, January 2018

Presentations and Published Abstracts:

2016 | Hohenbery T [student], Joshi K, Ramaraj P. In-Vitro Determination of Differential Roles of Androgens (Androstenedione and Testosterone) and Progesterone in Increased Male Mortality in Melanoma Using a Human Melanoma (BLM) Cell Model. Poster presented at the 98th annual Endocrine Society meeting; Boston, MA; April 1-4, 2016

2016 | Hohenbery T, Miller A, Ramaraj P. In-Vitro Determination of the Biological Bases for Increased Male Mortality in Melanoma Based on Mouse and Human Melanoma Cell Models. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Conference; Kirksville, MO; November 5, 2016

2016 | McGarvey T, Ramaraj P, Hassan SS. Vitamin K2 Prevents Beta Amyloid Peptide and Vitamin K3-induced Cell Death. Poster presented at Experimental Biology meeting, San Diego, CA; April 2-6, 2016. Abstract was published in FASEB Journal, April 2016, vol. 30 no. 1 Supplement 561.4

2016 | Ramaraj P. Steroids in Women Health, Steroids and Cancer, Corticosteroids and Anabolic Steroids and Supplements. Session Chair at the 2nd Global Summit on Hormones & Endocrine Disorders; New Orleans, LA; June 28, 2016

2016 | Ramaraj P. Differential Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) between Mouse and Human Melanoma Cell Lines. Oral lecture at the 2nd Global summit on Hormones & Endocrine Disorders; New Orleans, LA June 28, 2016. Abstract has been published in J Steroids Hormon Sci 2016, 7:2 (suppl), P-42

2016 | Ramaraj P. In-vitro Determination of the Protective Function of Progesterone in Melanoma using Mouse and Human Melanoma Cell Models. Keynote lecture at the 2nd Global Summit on Hormones & Endocrine Disorders; New Orleans, LA; June 27, 2016. Abstract published in J Steroids Hormon Sci 2016, 7:2 (suppl), P-24

2016 | Ramaraj P. Melanoma, Carcinoma, Melanoma & Carcinoma: Diagnosis. Session Chair at the Global Summit on Melanoma & Carcinoma; Brisbane, Australia, July 14-15, 2016

2016 | Ramaraj P. In-Vitro Determination of the Protective Function of Progesterone and its Receptor Antagonist RU-486 in Melanoma Using a Human Melanoma (BLM) Cell Model. Keynote talk the Global summit on Melanoma & Carcinoma at Brisbane, Australia, July 14-15, 2016. Abstract was published in J Cancer Sci Ther 2016, 8:6(suppl); DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4238.7445

2015 | Baer R, Ramaraj P, Cox J, Cleaver L. Four talks: Signaling Disruption in Melanoma (Baer R); Difference between Males and Females in Melanoma (Ramaraj P); Progress in Melanoma Therapies (Cox J); Clinical Trials and Clinical Case Discussion (Cleaver L). Oral presentations at the 1st Melanoma Symposium, ATSU-KCOM; Kirksville, MO, May 15, 2015.

2015 | Hohenbery T [student], Le P [student], Badheka S [student], Ramaraj P. In-Vitro Determination of the Differential Roles of Androgens (Androstenedione and Testosterone) and Progesterone in Increased Male Mortality in Melanoma Using a Human Melanoma (BLM) Cell Model. Poster presented at the 7th Annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Conference; Kirksville, MO; October 31, 2015

2015 | Joshi K [student], Ramaraj P*. Comparison of in-vitro effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) between mouse and human melanoma cell lines. Poster presented at: 97th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society; March 5-8, 2015; San Diego, CA. Abstract published in: Endocr Rev. 2015;36(2 suppl):THR-286

2015 | Ramaraj P. Effect of Progesterone and its Receptor Antagonist RU-486 on Melanoma Cell Growth. Presented at the Global Steroid Summit; July 13-15, 2015; Baltimore, MD; and published as meeeting proceedings in Steroids Hormon Sci. 2015, 6:3, pp 44

2015 | Ramaraj P. In-Vitro Anti-Cancer Actions Progesterone on Human Melanoma (BLM) Cells, Based on Rescue and Recovery Studies of Cell Growth, Adhesion and Migration Functions. Invited talk at the 9th Indo Global Summit on Cancer Therapy; Hyderabad, India, November 2, 2015. Abstract is published in J Cancer Sci Ther 2015, 7 (10), P-36

2015 | Ramaraj P. Is Melanoma a Hormone-Dependent Cancer? Invited Keynote lecture at the 9th Indo Global Summit on Cancer Therapy; Hyderabad, India, November 3, 2015. Abstract is published in J Cancer Sci Ther 2015, 7 (10), p-46

2015 | Tasch J (student), Ramaraj P. In-Vitro Determination of Androgens (Androstenedione and Testosterone) Roles in Increased Male Mortality in Melanoma Using a Mouse Melanoma (B16F10) Cell Model. Poster presented at the 2015 American Society for Cell Biology annual meeting; San Diego, CA, Dec. 12-16, 2015; and published in Mol Biol of the Cell, 2015; 26(25): Doi:10.1091/mbc.E15-09-0674

2014 | Leder DC [student], Joshi K [student], Ramaraj P.* Rescued and recovered in-vitro functions of progesterone treated human melanoma (BLM) cells. Poster was presented at the 96th annual Endocrine Society meeting; Chicago, IL June 20-24, 2014

2014 | Leder DC [student], Ramaraj P. In-Vitro Rescue and Recovered Studies on Human Melanoma (BLM) Cell Growth, Adhesion and Migration Functions after Treatment with RU-486. Poster presented at the 2014 American Society for Cell Biology/ International Federation for Cell Biology Meeting; Philadelphia, PA; Dec 6-10, 2014

2014 | Leder DC [student], Ramaraj P. In-Vitro Rescue and Recovery Studies of Human Melanoma (BLM) Cell Growth, Adhesion and Migration Functions after Treatment with Mifepristone (RU-486). Poster presented at 6th Annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Conference; Kirksville, MO; November 1, 2014

2014 | Ramaraj P. Effect of Progesterone and its Receptor Antagonist RU-486 on Melanoma Cell Growth. Invited talk at the Research Seminar, Dept. of Internal Medicine and Dept. of Health and Life Sciences, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, Los Angeles, CA; October 29, 2014

2013 | Joshi K, Ramaraj P. Differential Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Between Mouse and Human Melanoma Cell Lines. Poster presented at 5th Annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Conference; Kirksville, MO; November 2, 2013

2013 | Ramaraj P, Chang Y, Cox JL. In-Vitro Determination of Biological and Anabolic Functions of Weak Androgen Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Using a Variety of Cell Lines. Meeting abstract published at Endocrine Rev 2013; 34 (03_Meeting/Abstracts): SAT-352. Poster presented at the 95th annual Endocrine-Society Meeting; San Francisco, CA; June 15, 2013

2012 | Ramaraj P, Cox JL. Effect of Progesterone on Melanoma Cell Growth. Poster presented at the 94th Annual Meeting of The Endocrine Society, Houston, TX; June 23-26, 2012

2012 | Ramaraj P, Leder DC [student], Cox JL. Effect of Progesterone on In-Vitro Functions of Human Melanoma (BLM) Cells. Poster presented at 4th Annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Conference; Kirksville, MO; September 29, 2012

2012 | Ramaraj P, Tasch J [student]. Effect of Androgens (DHEA, AD and T) on Mouse Melanoma Cell Growth. Poster presented at 4th Annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Conference; Kirksville, MO; September 29, 2012

2011 | Ramaraj P, Cox JL. Effect of steroids on in-vitro melanoma cell growth and viability. Endocrine Reviews, 12 (3), P1-29 abstract, June 2011. Poster presentation at the 93rd annual endocrine society meeting at Boston, June 4-7, 2011

2011 | Ramaraj P, Brown J [student], Cox JL. Effect of Progesterone Treatment on Melanoma Cell Growth and Adhesion. Poster presented at 3rd Annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Conference; Kirksville, MO; October 22, 2011

2010 | Cox JL, Ramaraj P. Effect of mifepristone (RU-486) on in-vitro melanoma cell growth and viability Mol. Biol. Cell 21 (supplement) Abstract no. 655, December 2010; Poster presented at: 50th annual Society for Cell Biology meeting, Philadelphia, Dec 10-15, 2010

2010 | Ramaraj P, Cox JL. Effect of Mifepristone (RU-486) on In-vitro Melanoma Cell Growth and Viability. Poster presented at 2nd Annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Conference; Kirksville, MO; October 9, 2010

2010 | Ramaraj P, Artaza JN, Sinha-Hikim I, Taylor WE. Effect of Androstenedione on adipogenesis in an in-vitro bioassay using mouse mesenchymal multipotent C3H 10T1/2 cells; Endocrine Reviews, vol.31, No.(3), June 2010 supplement-1; Poster presentation at the 92nd annual endocrine society meeting, San Diego, June 19-22, 2010

2018 | Joshi K, Ramaraj P. Differential Biological effects of steroids and other chemical inhibitors between mouse and human melanoma cell lines. https://ascb-embo2018.ascb.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2018/11/posterabstracts2018.pdf.

2018 | Ramaraj P. Could IL-8 be the target for melanoma treatment? An in-vitro study based on curcumin pre-treatment and IL-8 treatment of human melanoma cell models. J Oncol Transl Res, 2018:4, p32 DOI: 10.4172/2476-2261-C1-001

2018 | Ramaraj P. Involvement of IL-8 cytokine in the regulation of melanoma cell growth based on curcumin pre-treatment and IL-8 treatment of human melanoma cell models https://www.societymelanomaresearch.org/docs/congress/late_breaking_abstracts_2018.pdf

2018 | Fulcher A, Johnson B, Ramaraj P. Could IL-8 be the target for melanoma treatment? An in-vitro study based curcumin pre-treatment and IL-8 treatment of human melanoma cell models https://www.atsu.edu/research/events/IBRS.htm

2018 | Ramaraj P, Biochemical basis of protection by progesterone in melanoma based on in-vitro study with human melanoma cell models, June 2-3, 2018, DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.32097.81763

2018 | Hassan S, Rizk A, Motawei AG, Abdelfattah SM and Ramaraj P. Protective effect of silybin against verapamil-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The FASEB Journal, 32(1) – Supplement 2018. https://www.fasebj.org/doi/10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.511.3

2018 | Miller A, Fulcher A, Dock P, Ramaraj P. Biochemical basis of protection by progesterone in melanoma based on curcumin pre-treatment of human melanoma cell models. http://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/4482/presentation/7469 -2018

2018 | Key-note talk: Could IL-8 be the target for melanoma treatment? An in-vitro study based on curcumin pre-treatment and IL-8 treatment of human melanoma cell models at the 27th World oncologists annual conference on Medical oncology, Radiation oncology & Surgical oncology and 10th International Dermatology & Cosmetology conference December 8, 2018, Chicago, USA

2018 | Invited talk – Biochemical basis of protection by progesterone in melanoma based in-vitro study of human melanoma cell models at PCS 2nd Global Cancer Conference-India (GCC-India-2018), 2-3 June, New Delhi, India. http://www.pcscongress.com/india/2018june/article.asp?articleid=144

2018 | Biochemical Basis of Steroid Hormones Inhibition of human Melanoma Cell Growth In-vitro & Its Implications on Melanoma Treatment – Cleaver Dermatology, Kirksville, MO December 5, 2018.

2018 | Involvement of IL-8 in the regulation of melanoma cell growth based on curcumin pre-treatment and IL-8 treatment of human melanoma cells – Basic Science Seminar, KCOM, November 9, 2018