Chemistry and Biochemistry

Peter Kovacic

Adjunct Professor
Medicinal and Organic Chemistry

Office: GMCS 213F
e-mail: pkovacic_at_sundown.sdsu.edu

Curriculum Vita

• A.B., Hanover College, 1943;
• Ph.D., University of Illinois 1946;
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, MIT
• Research Chemist, DuPont Company, 1948-1955;
• Professor, Case Western University Department of Chemistry, 1955-1968;
• Professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of Chemistry, 1968-1987.

Research Interests

• Mechanisms of drugs and toxins
• Electron transfer
• Reactive oxygen species
• Oxidative stress
• Cell signaling
• Bioelectrochemistry
• Metabolism of drugs and toxins

Selected Publications

1. P. Kovacic, Novel electrochemical approach to enhanced toxicity of 4-oxo-2-nonenal vs. 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (role of imine): Oxidative stress and therapeutic modalities, Med. Hypoth. 67, 151-156 (2006).
2. P. Kovacic, Unifying mechanism for addiction and toxicity of abused drugs with application to dopamine and glutamate mediators: Electron transfer and reactive oxygen species, Med. Hypoth. 65, 90-96 (2005).
3. P. Kovacic and A. L. Cooksy, Role of Diacetyl Metabolite in Alcohol Toxicity and Addiction via Electron Transfer and Oxidative Stress, Arch. Toxicol. 79, 123-128 (2005).
4. P. Kovacic and A. L. Cooksy, Unifying Mechanism for Toxicity and Addiction by Abused Drugs: Electron Transfer and Reactive Oxygen Species, Med. Hypoth. 64, 357-366 (2005).
5. P. Kovacic and A. L. Cooksy, Iminium Metabolite Mechanism for Nicotine Toxicity and Addiction: Oxidative Stress and Electron Transfer, Med. Hypoth. 64, 104-111 (2005).
6. P. Kovacic, Mechanism of organophosphates (nerve gas and pesticides) and antidotes: Electron transfer and oxidative stress, Current Medicinal Chemistry 10, 2705-2710 (2003).
7. P. Kovacic, Mechanism of drug and toxic actions of gossypol: Focus on reactive oxygen species and electron transfer, Current Medicinal Chemistry 10, 2711-2718 (2003).
8. J.D. Jacintho, P. Kovacic, Neurotransmission and neurotoxicity by nitric oxide, catecholamines, and glutamate: Unifying themes of reactive oxygen species and electron transfer, Current Medicinal Chemistry 10, 2693-2704 (2003).
9. B.C. Baguley, L.P.G. Wakelin, J.D. Jacintho, P. Kovacic, Mechanisms of action of DNA intercalating acridine-based drugs: How important are contributions from electron transfer and oxidative stress? Current Medicinal Chemistry 10, 2643-2650 (2003).
10. P. Kovacic, R. Somanathan, M. Inzunza, Mechanism of glutamate neurochemistry: Electron transfer and reactive oxygen species, Revista de la Sociedad Quimica de Mexico 47, 146-150 (2003).
11. P. Kovacic, J.D. Jacintho, Systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases from endogenous and exogenous agents: Unifying theme of oxidative stress, Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 3, 568-575 (2003).
12. N.N. Niufar, F.L. Haycock, L.L. Wesemann, J.A. MacStay, V.L. Heasley, P. Kovacic, Reduction potentials of conjugated aliphatic ketones, oximes and imines: Correlation with structure and bioactivity, Revista de la Sociedad Quimica de Mexico 46, 307-312 (2002).
13. P. Kovacic, A. Sacman, M. Wu-Weis, Nephrotoxins: Widespread role of oxidative stress and electron transfer, Current Medicinal Chemistry 9, 823 (2002).
14. P. Kovacic, Elucidation of the primary events in photosynthesis: Novel insights based on enolisation and iminium involvement with pheophytin in photosystem 2, Photosynthetica 40, 21 (2002).
15. P. Kovacic, L.P.G. Wakelin, DNA molecular electrostatic potential: Novel perspective for the mechanism of action of anti-cancer drugs involving electron transfer and oxidative stress, Anticancer Drug Design, 16, 175 (2001).
16. P. Kovacic, J.D. Jacintho, Mechanisms of carcinogenesis: Focus on oxidative stress and electron transfer, Current Medicinal Chemistry 8, 773-796 (2001).
17. P. Kovacic, J.D. Jacintho, Reproductive toxins: Pervasive theme of oxidative stress and electron transfer, Current Medicinal Chemistry 8, 863-892 (2001).