USC College Department of Kinesiology
USC
Department of Kinesiology
3560 Watt Way, PED 107
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0652
Phone (213) 740-2492
Fax (213) 740-7909
Faculty

Lorraine Turcotte

Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Biological Sciences

Contact Information
E-mail: turcotte@usc.edu
Phone: (213) 740-8527
Office: PED 107

 

Education

  • B.Ed. Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, 6/1981
  • M.S. Exercise Physiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 5/1984
  • Ph.D. Physiology, University of California, Berkeley, 5/1988

Postdoctoral Training

  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, Clinical Research Institute, Montreal, Canada, 08/01/1991-06/30/1993  
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, August Krogh Institute, University of Copenhagen, 08/01/1988-07/01/1991  

Academic Appointment, Affiliation, and Employment History

  • Chair, Department of Kinesiology, University of Southern California, 01/01/2004-  
  • Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, 01/01/2003-  
  • Associate Professor, University of Southern California, 01/01/1999-  
  • Co-Director, Metabolic Regulation Lab, University of Southern California, 01/01/1994-  
  • Assistant Professor, University of Southern California, 01/01/1993-01/01/1999  
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, Hotel Dieu Hospital, 07/1991-07/1993  
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Copenhagen, 08/1988-07/1991  

Description of Research

Summary Statement of Research Interests
Research focus is on elucidating the cellular and hormonal signaling intermediates that regulate fatty acid metabolism by muscle and how these intermediates are affected by obesity, insulin resistance and exercise

Funded Research

USC Funding
  • Undergraduate Reseach Associates Program. The role of AMP-activated protein kinase in the prevention of obesity and type II diabetes: The role of AMPK in the development of obesity and type II diabetes will be tested in transgenic that do not express AMPK in muscle. , $10,000, 2008-2009   
  • Innovative Undergraduate Teaching, Center for Excellence in Teaching. Using multimedia tools in laboratory sessions to enhance the learning of muscle physiologic concepts and to promote the understanding of the integration of the concepts with mechanical principles: CD-ROM of metabolic pathways was completed. , $9,138, 2002-2003   
  • Undergraduate Research. Effects of aging on muscle fatty acid metabolism: Effects of aging on the content of proteins and transporters implicated in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism were investigated in the Fischer 344/Brown Norway rat model. , $6,900, 2000-2001   
  • Innovative Undergraduate Teaching . Using multimedia techniques in laboratory sessions to enhance learning of the metabolic pathways in lecture: Development of incubated muscle preparation in undergraduate physiology labs., $6,000, 2000-2001   

Affiliations with Research Centers, Labs, and Other Institutions

  • Diabetes Research Center, Member
  • Metabolic Regulation Lab, Co-Director

Publications

Book Chapter
  • Turcotte, L. P. (2006). Lipid metabolism during exercise. pp. p.105-136. Champaign, Illinois: Exercise Metabolism/Human Kinetics.
Journal Article
  • Abbott, M. J., Edelman, A. M., Turcotte, L. P. (2009). CaMKK is an upstream signal of AMP-activated protein kinase in regulation of substrate metabolism in contracting skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. Vol. 297, pp. R1724-R1732.
  • Abbott, M. J. (2009). Short-term AMPK activation enhances insulin-sensitive FA uptake and increases the effects of insulin on FA oxidation in L6 msucle cells. Exper Biol Med.
  • Turcotte, L. P., Fisher, J. S. (2008). Skeletal muscle insulin resistance: Roles of fatty acid metabolism and exercise. Physical Therapy. Vol. 88 (11), pp. 1279-1296.
  • Raney, M. A., Turcotte, L. P. (2008). Evidence for the involvement of CaMKII and AMPK in Ca+2-dependent signaling pathways regulating FA uptake and oxidation in contracting rodent muscle. Journal of Applied Physiology. Vol. 104, pp. 1366-1373.
  • Kelly, K. R., Sung, C. K., Abbott, M. J., Turcotte, L. P. (2008). Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent insulin regulation of long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) metabolism in L6 cells: involvement of atypical protein kinase C-zeta in LCFA uptake but not oxidation. Journal of Endocrinology. Vol. 198, pp. 375-384.
  • Berthiaume, M., Laplante, M., Festuccia, W., Cianflore, K., Turcotte, L., Joanisse, D., Olivecrone, G., Deshaies, Y. (2007). 11-ß-HSD-1 inhibition improves triglyceridemia through reduced liver VLDL secretion and partitions lipids towards oxidative tissues. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. Vol. 293, pp. E1054-E1052.
  • Raney, M. A., Turcotte, L. P. (2007). Evidence for the regulation of contraction-induced fatty acid oxidation via extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation independent of changes in fatty acid uptake. Metabolism. Vol. 56, pp. 1192-1200.
  • Todd, M. K., Watt, M. J., Le, J., Hevener, A. L., Turcotte, L. P. (2007). Thiazolidinediones enhance skeletal muscle triacylglecerol synthesis while protecting against fatty acid-induced inflammation and insulin resistance. Am J Physio Endocrinol Metab. Vol. 292, pp. E485-E493.
  • Raney, M. A., Turcotte, L. P. (2006). Regulation of contraction-induced FA uptake and oxidation by AMPK and ERK1/2 is intensity dependent in rodent muscle. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. Vol. 291, pp. E1220-E1227.
  • Raney, M. A., Yee, A. J., Todd, M. K., Turcotte, L. P. (2005). AMPK activation is not critical in the regulation of muscle FA uptake and oxidation during low-intensity muscle contraction. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. Vol. 288, pp. E592-E598.
  • Turcotte, L. P., Raney, M. A., Todd, M. K. (2005). ERK1/2 inhibition prevents contraction-induced increase in plasma membrane FAT/CD36 content and FA uptake in rodent muscle. Acta Physiol Scand. Vol. 184, pp. 131-139.
  • Tucker, M. Z., Turcotte, L. P. (2005). Brief food restriction in old animals decreases TG content and insulin-stimulated TG synthesis. J Gerontol Biol Sci. Vol. 60A, pp. 157-164.
  • Todd, M. K., Yaspelkis III, B. B., Turcotte, L. P. (2005). Short-term leptin treatment increases fatty acid uptake and oxidation in muscle of high fat-fed rats. Metabolism. Vol. 54, pp. 1218-1224.
  • Tucker, M. Z., Turcotte, L. P. (2003). Aging is associated with elevated muscle triglyceride content and increased insulin-stimulated fatty acid uptake. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. Vol. 283, pp. E827-E835.
  • Turcotte, L. P. (2003). Mitochondria: Biogenesis, structure and function. Med Sci Sports & Exerc. Vol. 35, pp. 82-85.
  • Tucker, M. Z., Turcotte, L. P. (2002). Impaired fatty acid oxidation in muscle of aging rats perfused under basal conditions. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. Vol. 282, pp. E1102-E1109.
  • Turcotte, L. P., Tucker, M. Z. (2002). Brief food restriction increases FA oxidation and glycogen synthesis under insulin-stimulated conditions. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative and Comp Physiol. Vol. 282, pp. R1210-R1218.
  • Yee, A. J., Turcotte, L. P. (2002). Insulin fails to alter plasma LCFA metabolism in muscle perfused at similar glucose uptake. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. Vol. 283, pp. E73-E77.
  • Turcotte, L. P. (2002). High carbohydrate availabillity increases LCFA uptake and decreases LCFA oxidation in perfused muscle. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. Vol. 282, pp. E177-E183.
  • Luiken, J. F., Arumugan, Y., Dyck, D. J., Bell, R. C., Pelsers, M. M., Turcotte, L. P., Tandon, N. N., Glatz, J. C., Bonen, A. (2001). Increased rates of fatty acid uptake and plasmalemmal fatty acid transporters in obese Zucker rats. J Biol Chem. Vol. 276, pp. 40567-40573.
  • Turcotte, L. P., Swenberger, J. R., Tucker, M. Z., Yee, A. J. (2001). Increased fatty acid uptake and altered fatty acid metabolism in insulin-resistant muscle of obese Zucker rats. Diabetes. Vol. 50, pp. 1389-1396.
  • Turcotte, L. P., Swenberger, J. R., Tucker, M. Z., Yee, A. J., Trump, G., Luiken, J. F., Bonen, A. (2000). Muscle palmitate transport and binding are saturable and inhibited by antibodies to FABP (PM). Mol Cell Biochem. Vol. 210, pp. 53-63.
  • Gazdag, A. C., Wetter, T. J., Davidson, R. T., Robinson, K. A., Buse, M. G., Yee, A. J., Turcotte, L. P., Carter, G. D. (2000). Lower calorie intake enhances muscle insulin action and reduces hexosamine levels. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative & Comp Physiol. Vol. 278, pp. R504-R512.
  • Turcotte, L. P. (1999). Nutritional aspects of exercise. Role of fats in exercise: Types and quality. Clinics in Sports Medicine. Vol. 18, pp. 485-498.
  • Simoneau, J., Veerkamp, J. H., Turcotte, L. P., Kelley, D. E. (1999). Metabolic markers of capacity to utilize fatty acids in human skeletal muscle: Relation to insulin resistance, obesity and weight loss. FASEB Journal. Vol. 13 (2051-2060)
  • Luiken, J. J., Turcotte, L. P., Bonen, A. (1999). Protein-mediated palmitate uptake and expression of fatty acid transport proteins in heart giant vesicles. Journal of Lipid Research. Vol. 40, pp. 1007-1016.
  • Turcotte, L. P., Swenberger, J. R., Tucker, M. Z., Yee, A. J. (1999). Training-induced elevation in FABPpm is associated with increased palmitate use in contracting muscle. Journal of Applied Physiology. Vol. 87, pp. 285-293.

Honors and Awards

  • Mellon Award for Excellence in Mentoring, University of Southern California, Spring 2008   
  • Remarkable Women Award, University of Southern California, 2004  
  • Innovative Teaching Award: USC Center for Excellence in Teaching Innovative Undergraduate Teaching Award, 2002-2003  
  • Faculty of the Month, Mortar Board National Honor Society, 2001  
  • Innovative Teaching Award: USC Center for Excellence in Teaching Innovative Undergraduate Teaching Award, 2000-2001  
  • Professor of the Year, Gamma Sigma Alpha Honor Society, 1999  
  • Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine, Fellow, Spring 1996   

Service to the Profession

Editorships and Editorial Boards
  • Associate Editor, Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 2002-2005  
  • Editorial Board, Health and Fitness Journal, 2001-2004  
Professional Offices
  • Executive Council, American College of Sports Medicine, Southwest Chapter, 07/01/2000-06/30/2003  
Professional Memberships
  • American Physiological Society, Member, 1993-  
  • American Diabetes Association, Member Council on Exercise, 1988-  
  • American College of Sports Medicine, Fellow, 1982-  
  • International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids, Member, 1995-2004  
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