Professor

Office: 210 Physical Sciences Laboratory Building
Phone: (419) 372-2044
Email: artbrec@bgsu.edu

Biochemistry Research Interests

• Isolation, characterization, and physiological function of brain and lung peptidases capable of activating and inactivating hypothalamic, vasoactive, and other peptide hormones.
• The role of red blood cell membranes in regulating the clotting process (and the dissolution of clots).
• Mechanism of action of chlorambucil, (a nitrogen mustard anti-tumor drug), in its reaction with nucleic acids and proteins.
• Isolation and characterization of the trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors from human breast and bowel malignancies.
• Factors regulating prothrombin, fibrinogen, and plasminogen levels in blood of normal persons and coronary patients.
• Regulation of hydrolase activity in carnivorous plants.
• Structure and function of the trypsin inhibitor in Escherichia coli.
• Structure and identification of renin and renin-like enzymes from kidney and adrenal tissue.
• Satisfying nutritional requirements of Escherichia coli.
• Hypertension and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
• Biochemical damage resulting from alcoholism and acetaldehyde.
• Modification of Anticoagulant function

Papers read to professional societies (in the last three years)
J. D. Zollars, M. H. Coggin, and A. S. Brecher.  Effect of protamine sulfate and heparin upon the interaction between human factor XIIa and antithrombin III. Abstract #683341, Div. Chem. Ed. Am. Chem. Soc. National Meeting, Anaheim, CA, April 2004.

E. A. Suchocki and A. S. Brecher.  Effect of various concentrations of acetaldehyde and plasma on the activity of Factor XIIIa., CSCR. Chicago, IL, April 15, 2004.

A. S. Brecher, A. A. Galoyan, R. M. Srapionyan, and M. H. Coggin.  The influence of Proline-Rich Polypeptide upon coagulation cascade enzymes.  International Conference on "The role of biologically active substances in the integrative activity of the organism in normal conditions and in the process of adaptive ssyndrome formation." At Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia, October 15-17, 2003.

A. S. Brecher.  Consequences of interactions of acetaldehyde with plasma components. Annual Meeting, Armenian Association of Biochemistry.  National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.  Yerevan, Armenia, October 14, 2003.

C. D. Fidanza, A. S. Brecher, and M. H. Coggin.  The effects of protamine sulfate and herparin in the interaction between human factor XIIa and antithrombin III.  Abstracts Div. in Chemical Education, #982, 225th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March. 23-27, 2003.

M. H. Coggin, R. M. Srapionyan, A. S. Brecher and A. A. Galoyan.  A potential role for a trial polypeptide and neurohormone C in the blood coagulation cascade.  CSCR, Chicago, IL, September 25-28, 2002.

M. H. Coggin, R. M. Srapionyan, A. A. Galoyan, and A. S. Brecher.  The effect of proline rich polypeptide on the interaction between activated factor X and antithrombin III.  American Society for Neurochemistry.  Palm Beach, FL, June 22-25, 2002.

M. H. Coggin, R. Ahl, A. Roland, and A. S. Brecher.  The influence of protamine sulfate and heparin upon the interaction of Factor Xa with antithrombin III.  Experimenetal Biology 2002, New Orleans, LA, April 22-25, 2002.

A. S. Brecher and M. T. Adamu.  Comparative effects of the chondroitin sulfates  with/without acetaldehyde upon APTT with prothrombin and Factor II- deficient plasma. CSCR, Chicago, IL, Sept. 5-8, 2001.

S. A. Shikov, G. B. Clemans, and A. S. Brecher.  Effect of glycosaminoglycans on  clotting times of human plasma.  Experimental Biology, 2001, Absts. #1766,  Orlando, FL, March 31-April 4, 2001.

A. S. Brecher and M. T. Adamu.  Mimicking clotting times of plasma of  alcoholics by the use of acetaldehyde. Central Society for Clinical Research,  Sept. 21-23, 2000, Chicago, Illinois.

A. S. Brecher, E .L. Hommema, and M. Mathews-Roth.  A further Examination  of Thiol Effects upon Prothrombin Time. Central Society for Clinical  Research, Sept. 21-23, 2000.

A. S. Brecher and E. L. Hommema. Comparative Impact of Acetaldehyde and  Glycosaminoglycans upon Function of Factor Xa and Factor X-Deficient  Plasma. ASBMB, June 4-8, 2000, Boston, MA.

Invited Chapter
To:  Comprehensive Handbook of Alcohol Related Pathology.  In Press:  2005.  Academic Press, Ltd.  London, A. S. Brecher:  The Effect of Acetaldehyde on Plasma.

To: Encyclopedia of Immunology, 2nd Edition, 1998.  Academic Press, Ltd.     London, A.S. Brecher:  Clotting System, pp. 578-586.
 

Publications (in the last five years)
M. H. Coggin, R. M. Srapionyan, A. A. Galoyan, A. S. Brecher.  Interactions of Neuropeptides with Coagulation Cascade Components.  1. A Potential Role for Proline-rich Polypeptide in the Metabolism of Factor Xa/Antithrombin III complex. Neirokhimiya (Neurochemistry( (Moscow) 20, #4 (2004), in press.

M. H. Coggin, R. M. Srapinonyan, A. S. Brecher, and A. A. Galoyan.  the Hypothalamic and Atrial Coronary-Dilatory Hormones in the Molecular Mechanism of Blood Coagulation.  Neirokhimiya (Neurochemistry) (Moscow) 20, 2003, in press.

A. S. Brecher and E. L. Hommema, The Influence of Acetaldehyde and Glycosaminoglycans upon Factor Xa and Factor S-Deficient Plasma.   Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol., 80, 879-886 (2002).

A. S. Brecher and M. T. Adamu.  Short- and Long-term effects of Acetaldehyde on Plasma.  ALCOHOL, 49-53, 2002.

A. S. Brecher and E. L. Hommema.  The Influence of Protamine Sulfate Upon the interaction between thrombin and antithrombin III.  Proceedings of the International Conference.  Biochemical and Molecular-Biological Aspectss of the Brain Immune System.  Sept. 15-19, 2001; Yerevan.  Tsakhkadzor, Armenia; pp. 74-81.

A. S. Brecher and M. T. Adamu. Coagulation Protein Function. Enhancement of  the Anticoagulant Effect of Acetaldehyde by Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans.   Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2001, 46, #9, 2033-2042.