A5052675928- Ion channel regulation and function
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
- Electrochemical Analysis and Applications
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
- Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Cardiovascular Function and Risk Factors
- Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks
- Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
- Genetic Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Advanced Memory and Neural Computing
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Anesthesia and Neurotoxicity Research
- Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry
- Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Hemoglobin structure and function
- Retinal and Optic Conditions
- Cardiac Fibrosis and Remodeling
- Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans research
University of Arizona
2020-2024
Universidade de São Paulo
2007-2024
University of Chicago
2013-2021
Universidade Estadual do Ceará
2007-2010
Despite a growing number of ion channel genes implicated in hereditary ataxia, it remains unclear how mutations lead to loss-of-function or death cerebellar neurons. Mutations the gene KCNMA1, encoding α-subunit BK have emerged as responsible for variety neurological phenotypes. We describe mutation (BKG354S) child with congenital and progressive ataxia cognitive impairment. The selectivity filter dramatically reduced single-channel conductance selectivity. BKG354S trafficked normally...
Millisecond pulses of laser light delivered to gold nanoparticles residing in close proximity the surface membrane neurons can induce depolarization and initiate an action potential. An optocapacitance mechanism proposed as basis this effect posits that membrane-interfaced particle photothermally induces a cell-depolarizing capacitive current, predicts delivering given pulse energy within shorter period should increase pulse's action-potential-generating effectiveness by increasing magnitude...
Anethole is a phenolic compound synthesized by many aromatic plants. substance that humans can safely consume and has been studied for years as biologically active molecule to treat variety of conditions, including nerve damage, gastritis, inflammation, nociception. thought carry out its biological activities through direct interaction with ion channels. beneficial neurodegenerative Alzheimer's Parkinson's diseases. Nevertheless, nothing investigated regarding the effects anethole on...
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) attached to the extracellular leaflet of plasma membrane neurons can enable generation action potentials (APs) in response brief pulses light. Recently described techniques stably bind AuNP bioconjugates directly proteins (ion channels) robust AP mediated by photoexcited conjugate. However, a strategy that binds non protein-specific manner could represent simple, single-step means establishing light-responsiveness multiple types excitable contained same tissue. On...
In voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKC), voltage sensors (VSD) endow voltage-sensitivity to pore domains (PDs) through a not fully understood mechanism. Shaker-like VGKC show domain-swapped configuration: VSD of one subunit is covalently connected its PD by the protein backbone (far connection) and non-covalently next (near connection). VSD-to-PD coupling explained far connection only, therefore an additional mechanistic component may be based on near connection. Using tandem dimers...
In Shaker K + channels, the S4-S5 linker couples voltage sensor (VSD) and pore domain (PD). Another coupling mechanism is revealed using two W434F-containing channels: L361R:W434F L366H:W434F. L361R:W434F, W434F affects L361R VSD seen as a shallower charge-voltage (Q-V) curve that crosses conductance-voltage (G-V) curve. L366H:W434F, L366H relieves effect converting non-conductive channel in conductive one. We report chain of residues connecting (S4) to selectivity filter (SF) PD an adjacent...
Aging is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, one of the main world-wide causes death. Several structural and functional changes occur in system during aging process mechanisms involved such alterations are yet to be completely described. BK channels transmembrane proteins that play key role many physiological processes, including regulation vascular tone. In smooth muscle cells, opening consequent efflux potassium (K(+)) leads membrane hyperpolarization, which followed by...
Eugenol is a phenylpropene obtained from the essential oils of plants such as clove and basil which has ample use in dentistry. possesses analgesic effects that may be related to inhibition voltage-dependent Na+ channels and/or activation TRPV1 receptors or both. In present study, electrophysiological parameters were taken compound action potentials isolated rat sciatic nerve neurons superior cervical ganglion (SCG) impaled with sharp microelectrodes under current-clamp conditions. nerve,...
Voltage sensitivity in ion channels is a function of highly conserved arginine residues their voltage-sensing domains (VSDs), but this conservation does not explain the diversity voltage dependence among different K+ channels. Here we study non–voltage-sensing 353 to 361 Shaker and find that 358 strongly modulate channel. We mutate these two into all possible remaining amino acids (AAs) obtain Q-V G-V curves. introduced nonconducting W434F mutation record sensing currents mutants except...
Eugenol (EUG) is a bioactive monoterpenoid used as an analgesic, preservative, and flavoring agent. Our new data show EUG voltage-gated Na + channel (VGSC) inhibitor, comparable but not identical to lidocaine (LID). inhibits both total only TTX-R voltage-activated currents (I ) recorded from VGSCs naturally expressed on dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons in rats. Inhibition quick, fully reversible, dose-dependent. biophysical pharmacological analyses showed that LID inhibit with different...
Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels play a key role in generating action potentials which leads to physiological signaling excitable cells. The availability of probes for functional studies mammalian Nav is limited. Here, by introducing two amino acid substitutions into the beta scorpion toxin Ts1, we have chemically synthesized novel binder [S14R, W50Pra]Ts1 with high affinity, low dissociation rate and reduced toxicity while retaining capability conjugating Ts1 molecules interests...
Biological ion channels precisely control the flow of ions across membranes in response to a range physical and chemical stimuli. With their ability transporting highly selective manner integrating regulatory cues, they are source inspiration for construction solid-state nanopores as sensors or switches practical applications. Here, we summarize recent advancements understanding mechanisms permeation gating channel proteins with focus on elementary steps transport through pore non-canonical...
Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) express the photopigment melanopsin, imparting to themselves ability respond light in absence of input from rod or cone photoreceptors. Since their discovery ipRGCs have been found play a significant role non-image-forming aspects vision, including circadian photoentrainment, neuroendocrine regulation, and pupillary control. In past decade it has become increasingly clear that some also contribute directly pattern-forming...