Donnerstag, 30. Mrz 2017, 17:00 - 18:00 iCal

Guest Lecture by Prof. Nathan DASCAL, Tel Aviv

“Subunit-dependent variations in stoichiometry and function

in G protein-GIRK signaling complexes”

 

UZA 2, Lecture Hall 6
Althanstraße 14, 1090 Wien

Lecture


The Doctoral Program ION CHANNELS AND TRANSPORTERS AS MOLECULAR DRUG TARGETS („MolTag“) is pleased to invite you to the following lecture

 

“Subunit-dependent variations in stoichiometry and function

in G protein-GIRK signaling complexes” by Prof.Dr. Nathan DASCAL

Sagol School of Neuroscience and Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology

Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, dascaln@post.tau.ac.il; medicine.mytau.org/dascal/

 

on: on: Thursday, March 30th 2017, 05:00 pm (17:00 Uhr)

at: UZA II, Althanstraße 14, Lecture Hall 6 (Pharma and Food Lecture Series)

 

Abstract: G protein-gated K+ channels (GIRK; Kir3) are activated by G?? subunits derived from Gi/o proteins following activation by neurotransmitters or hormones. GIRKs regulate heartbeat and neuronal excitability and plasticity, and are involved in drug addiction and cardiac, neurologic and psychiatric disorders. In different tissues and brain structures, the full GIRK channels are composed of different combinations of the four homologous subunits (GIRK1-4), encoded by 4 separate genes. We have found profound differences between GIRK channels formed by different subunit combinations abundant in different tissues or brain structures. To unveil the underlying mechanisms, we conducted mutagenesis-based structure-function analyses, measured plasma membrane densities, whole-cell and single channel properties of these channels, and have developed quantitative models of GIRK function. We present experimental data and mathematical modeling results suggesting different extents of association of GIRK with G?? and G? subunits, which in some cases lead to unequal, non-canonical stoichiometries of G? and G??, resulting in channels acting either sensitive bidirectional servo-type detectors of changes in GPCR/G protein signaling states (the hippocampal GIRK1/2), or channels acting as simple binary on-off G?? detectors (the mesolimbic GIRK2). Our results suggest that variation in GIRK subunit combination has profound physiological consequences and may allow for developing of differential, specific pharmaceutical or genetic interventions.

Contact: Doctoral Program MolTag, Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology; moltag.univie.ac.at, Office.moltag@univie.ac.at

 

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Veranstalter

Doktoratskolleg Molecular Drug Targets "MolTag"


Kontakt

Susanne Menschik-Zunzer
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
DK Molecular Drug Targets
01 5277 55320
susanne.menschik-zunzer@univie.ac.at, office.moltag@univie.ac.at