Dr Angela Finch

Fields of research: Receptors and Membrane Biology, Basic Pharmacology, Signal Transduction

Contact Details

Phone: +61 2 9065 1017
Fax: +61 2 9065 1017
Email: a.finch@unsw.edu.au

Supervision

PHD
Masters
Honours

Tabs

Main

Research Interests:
Research interests are G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR), activation and regulation by drugs. The mechanisms of GPCR activation are being explored via: (i) investigating the role of the extracellular loops in regulating the activation of GPCRs and as a site of interaction with allosteric modulator drugs in adrenergic, inflammatory (C5aR) and taste receptors (ii) a drug discovery program which is developing urogenital selective α₁-adrenoceptor antagonists for the treatment of prostate diseases and adrenoceptor modulators for Rett syndrome, seizure disorders and other neurological conditions.

Broad Research Areas:
Pharmacology, Molecular Structure & Drug Design

Society Memberships & Professional Activities:
ASCEPT

Specific Research Keywords:
G-protein Coupled Receptors, Drug Discovery, Molecular Mechanisms, Pharmacology, Cell Biology, Adrenoceptor, Complement Receptor 5a, Taste Receptors

University role:

Senior Lecturer

Memberships:

ASCEPT

Groups:

G-Protein Coupled Receptor Laboratory

Research

Socio-economic Objective (SEO) tags:

Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences

Teaching & Supervision

Supervised Students:

Adrian Campbell, Erica Leonar, Susan Ireland, Robert Healey

I am available to supervise:

Yes

Areas of supervision:

Molecular Pharmacology of GPCRs

Publications related to this Person

Books

Polly P; Hardman CD; Finch AM, (eds.), 2012, School of Medical Sciences Honours Course Manual, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, Australia

Polly P; Hardman CD; Finch AM, (eds.), 2011, School of Medical Sciences Honours Course Manual, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, Australia

Book Chapters

Finch A; Sarramegna V; Graham RM, 2005, 'Ligand binding, activation and agonist trafficking', in Perez DM (ed.), The Adrenergic Receptors in the 21st Century, edn. Original, Humana Press, New Jersey, NJ, pp. 25 - 86

Journal articles

Lizarme-Salas Y; Ariawan AD; Ratnayake R; Luesch H; Finch A; Hunter L, 2020, 'Vicinal difluorination as a C=C surrogate: An analog of piperine with enhanced solubility, photostability, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity', Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry, vol. 16, pp. 2663 - 2670, http://dx.doi.org/10.3762/BJOC.16.216

Healey RD; Wojciechowski JP; Monserrat-Martinez A; Tan SL; Marquis CP; Sierecki E; Gambin Y; Finch AM; Thordarson P, 2018, 'Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of N- and C-Terminal Protein Bioconjugates as G Protein-Coupled Receptor Agonists', Bioconjugate Chemistry, vol. 29, pp. 403 - 409, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00716

Urmi KF; Finch AM; Griffith R, 2017, 'Template selection and refinement considerations for modelling aminergic GPCR-ligand complexes', Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling, vol. 76, pp. 488 - 503, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmgm.2017.07.030

Campbell AP; Wakelin LPG; Denny WA; Finch AM, 2017, 'Homobivalent conjugation increases the allosteric effect of 9-aminoacridine at the α1-adrenergic receptors', Molecular Pharmacology, vol. 91, pp. 135 - 144, http://dx.doi.org/10.1124/mol.116.105874

Chen J; Campbell AP; Urmi KF; Wakelin LPG; Denny WA; Griffith R; Finch AM, 2014, 'Human α1-adrenoceptor subtype selectivity of substituted homobivalent 4-aminoquinolines', Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 22, pp. 5910 - 5916, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2014.09.017

Campbell AP; MacDougall IJA; Griffith R; Finch AM, 2014, 'An aspartate in the second extracellular loop of the α1B adrenoceptor regulates agonist binding', European Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 733, pp. 90 - 96, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.03.034

Kim MY; Finch AM; Lumbers ER; Boyce AC; Gibson KJ; Eiby YA; Lingwood BE, 2014, 'Expression of adrenoceptor subtypes in preterm piglet heart is different to term heart', PLoS ONE, vol. 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092167

Chen J; Murad AK; Wakelin L; Denny WA; Griffith R; Finch AM, 2013, 'a1-Adrenoceptor and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor affinity of homobivalent 4-aminoquinoline compounds: An investigation of the effect of linker length', Biochemical Pharmacology, vol. 85, pp. 1534 - 1541, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2013.03.010

Ngo T; Nicholas TJ; Chen J; Finch AM; Griffith R, 2013, '5-HT1A receptor pharmacophores to screen for off-target activity of á1-adrenoceptor antagonists', Journal of Computer - Aided Molecular Design, vol. 27, pp. 305 - 319, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10822-013-9647-5

Stoddart ES; Senadheera SN; MacDougall I; Griffith R; Finch AM, 2011, 'A novel structural framework for á1a/d-adrenoceptor selective antagonists identified using subtype selective pharmacophores', PLoS One, vol. 6, pp. e19695, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0019695

Riek RP; Finch A; Begg G; Graham RM, 2008, 'Wide turn diversity in protein transmembrane helices implications for G-protein-coupled receptor and other polytopic membrane protein structure and function', Molecular Pharmacology, vol. 73, pp. 1092 - 1104, http://dx.doi.org/10.1124/mol.107.043042

Laird AS; Finch A; Waite PM; Carrive P, 2008, 'Peripheral changes above and below injury level lead to prolonged vascular responses following high spinal cord injury', American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, vol. 294, pp. H785 - H792, http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.01002.2007

Antipatis C; Finch A; Ashworth C, 2008, 'Effect of controlled alterations in maternal dietary retinol on foetal and neonatal retinol status and pregnancy outcome in pigs', Livestock Science, vol. 118, pp. 247 - 254, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2008.01.026

Mcneil CJ; Nwagwu MO; Finch A; Page KP; Thain A; Mcardle HJ; Ashworth C, 2007, 'Glucocorticoid exposure and tissue gene expression of 11â HSD-1, 11 â HSD-2, and glucocorticoid receptor in a porcine model of differential fetal growth', Reproduction, vol. 133, pp. 653 - 661, http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep.1.01198

Finch AM; Graham RM, 2006, 'The α1D-adrenergic receptor: Cinderella or ugly stepsister', Molecular Pharmacology, vol. 69, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1124/mol.105.020230

Du X; Gao X; Kiriazis H; Moore X; Ming Z; Su Y; Finch A; Hannan R; Dart A; Graham RM, 2006, 'Transgenic alpha(1A)-adrenergic activation limits post-infarct ventricular remodeling and dysfunction and improves survival', Cardiovascular Research, vol. 71, pp. 735 - 743, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cardiores.2006.06.015

Finch A; Graham RM, 2006, 'The alpha(1D)-adrenergic receptor: Cinderella or ugly stepsister', Molecular Pharmacology, vol. 69, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1124/mol.105.020230

Du XR; Gao X; Kiriazis H; Moore X; Ming Z; Su Y; Wang K; Finch A; Dart A; Graham RM, 2006, 'Cardiac overexpression of the alpha(1A)-adrenergic receptor limits post-infarct ventricular remodeling and dysfunction, and improves survival', Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, vol. 41, pp. 735 - 735, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yjmcc.2006.06.022

Mcneil CJ; Finch A; Page KP; Clarke SD; Ashworth C; Mcardle HJ, 2005, 'The effect of fetal pig size and stage of gestation on tissue fatty acid metabolism and profile', Reproduction, vol. 129, pp. 757 - 763, http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep.1.00451

McGinty SJ; Finch AM; Griffith R; Graham RM; Bremner JB, 2004, 'Synthesis and biological evaluation of bicyclic and tricyclic substituted nortropan derivatives: discovery of a novel selective ƒÑ1D-adrenergic receptor ligand', Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 12, pp. 5639 - 5650, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2004.07.063

Du X; Fang L; Gao X; Kiriazis H; Feng X; Hotchkin E; Finch AM; Chaulet H; Graham RM, 2004, 'Genetic enhancement of ventricular contractility protects against pressure-overload-induced cardiac dysfunction', Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, vol. 37, pp. 979 - 987, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yjmcc.2004.07.010

Finch A; Yang LG; Nwagwu MO; Page KP; Mcardle HJ; Ashworth C, 2004, 'Placental transport of leucine in a porcine model of low birth weight', Reproduction, vol. 128, pp. 229 - 235, http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep.1.00193

Page KP; Ashworth C; Mcardle HJ; Finch A; Nwagwu MO, 2003, 'Sodium transport across the chorioallantoic membrane of porcine placenta involves the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)', The Journal of Physiology, vol. 547, pp. 849 - 857, http://dx.doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2002.031153

Finch AM; Antipatis C; Pickard AR; Ashworth CJ, 2002, 'Patterns of fetal growth within Large White x Landrace and Chinese Meishan gilt litters at three stages of gestation', Reproduction, Fertility and Development, vol. 14, pp. 419 - 425, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RD01131

Ashworth CJ; Finch AM; Page KR; Nwagwu MO; McArdle HJ, 2001, 'Causes and consequences of fetal growth retardation in pigs.', Reproduction (Cambridge, England) Supplement, vol. 58, pp. 233 - 246

Rocke JA; Sinclair AG; Edwards SA; Cordoba R; Pkiyach S; Penny PC; Finch AM; Horgan GW, 2001, 'The effect of feeding salmon oil to sows throughout pregnancy on pre-weaning mortality of piglets', Animal Science, vol. 73, pp. 489 - 500, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s135772980005846x

Finch AM; Wong AK; Paczkowski NJ; Wadi SK; Craik DJ; Fairlie DP; Taylor SM, 1999, 'Low-molecular-weight peptidic and cyclic antagonists of the receptor for the complement factor C5a', Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 42, pp. 1965 - 1974, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm9806594

Short A; Wong AK; Finch AM; Haaima G; Shiels IA; Fairlie DP; Taylor SM, 1999, 'Effects of a new C5a receptor antagonist on C5a- and endotoxin-induced neutropenia in the rat', British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 126, pp. 551 - 554, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjp.0702338

Vogen SM; Finch AM; Wadi SK; Thatcher J; Monk PN; Taylor SM; Sanderson SD, 1999, 'The influence of Lys68 in decapeptide agonists of C5a on C5a receptor binding, activation and selectivity', Journal of Peptide Research, vol. 53, pp. 8 - 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3011.1999.tb01612.x

Paczkowski NJ; Finch AM; Whitmore JB; Short AJ; Wong AK; Monk PN; Cain SA; Fairlie DP; Taylor SM, 1999, 'Pharmacological characterization of antagonists of the C5a receptor', British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 128, pp. 1461 - 1466, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjp.0702938

Wong AK; Finch AM; Pierens GK; Craik DJ; Taylor SM; Fairlie DP, 1998, 'Small molecular probes for G-protein-coupled C5a receptors: Conformationally constrained antagonists derived from the C terminus of the human plasma protein C5a', Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 41, pp. 3417 - 3425, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm9800651

Finch AM; Vogen SM; Sherman SA; Kirnarsky L; Taylor SM; Sanderson SD, 1997, 'Biologically active conformer of the effector region of human C5a and modulatory effects of N-terminal receptor binding determinants on activity', Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 40, pp. 877 - 884, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm960727r

Tempero RM; Hollingsworth MA; Burdick MD; Finch AM; Taylor SM; Vogen SM; Morgan EL; Sanderson SD, 1997, 'Molecular Adjuvant Effects of a Conformationally Biased Agonist of Human C5a Anaphylatoxin', Journal of Immunology, vol. 158, pp. 1377 - 1382

Kawatsu R; Sanderson SD; Blanco I; Kendall N; Finch AM; Taylor SM; Colcher D, 1996, 'Conformationally biased analogs of human C5a mediate changes in vascular permeability', Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, vol. 278, pp. 432 - 440

Sanderson SD; Kimarsky L; Sherman SA; Vogen SM; Prakash O; Finch AM; Taylor SM; Ember JA, 1995, 'Decapeptide Agonists of Human C5a: The Relationship between Conformation and Neutrophil Response', Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 38, pp. 3669 - 3675, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm00018a028

Finch AM; Heron AE; Tolhurst SL; Florin TH; Sanderson SD; Taylor SM, 1995, 'The effect of C5a and U46619 on the isolated, perfused human placental lobule: Development of a method for the online estimation of tissue fluid accumulation', Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods, vol. 34, pp. 133 - 141, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/1056-8719(95)00046-3

Taylor SM; Finch AM; Heron AE; Brown LC; Florin THJ, 1994, 'Reversibility of tachyphylaxis to C5a in guinea pig tissues, perfused human placental lobule, and umbilical artery', Inflammation, vol. 18, pp. 645 - 657, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01535262

Sanderson SD; Kimarsky L; Sherman SA; Ember JA; Finch AM; Taylor SM, 1994, 'Decapeptide Agonists of Human C5a: The Relationship between Conformation and Spasmogenic and Platelet Aggregatory Activities', Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 37, pp. 3171 - 3180, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm00045a023

Conference Papers

Conference Abstracts

Tan S; Healey R; Thordarson P; Finch A, 2018, 'Investigating the Impact of Altered Subunit Expression on Sweet Taste Receptor Surface Trafficking and Signaling', in FASEB JOURNAL, FEDERATION AMER SOC EXP BIOL, Amer Assoc Anatomists, San Diego, CA, Vol. 32, presented at Experimental Biology Meeting, Amer Assoc Anatomists, San Diego, CA, 21 April 2018 - 25 April 2018, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000436986700214&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

Molecular Pharmacology Drug Design