Cellular Neurophysiology (Dr. Raul E. Guzman)
Über
The “Cellular Neurophysiology” research group investigates the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of ClC-3 and ClC-4 and the CLCN3/4-associated neuropathologies caused by their mutant variants. The ultimate goal is to develop novel therapeutics strategies for patients with this rare disease
Forschungsthemen
We aim to understand the role of endosomal ion transport for neuronal function, with focus on two endo-lysosomal transporters, ClC-3 and ClC-4, that regulate the pH and [Cl-] in multiple endosomal compartments. A group of neurodevelopmental disorders, in which slight changes in ClC-3 or ClC-4 transport functions cause epilepsy and intellectual disability as well as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and bipolar disorders, illustrate the importance of these transporters for higher brain functions. We use transgene technology (genetically modified mouse models and shRNA lentiviral transduction), patch-clamp electrophysiology, membrane cell capacitance measurements, carbon fiber amperometry, photolytic uncaging of intracellular calcium, molecular biology, and confocal microscopy to understand the cellular and molecular function of ClC-3 and ClC-4 in neuronal health and disease and to identify potential strategies for the treatment of CLCN3- and CLCN4-related disorders. Recently, our group efforts clarified the roles of such transporters for the vesicular mono-amine accumulation process and exocytosis and how Cl-/H+ exchangers regulate the electrical and excitability properties of neurons.
Members
• Intracellular Cl-/H+ exchangers regulate the firing pattern of pyramidal neurons at the CA2 region of the Hippocampus.
• Phenotypic characterization of ClC-4 p.V523M knock-in mouse model.
• Understanding the cellular consequences of ClC-4 dysfunction in X-linked intellectual disability: a comprehensive electrophysiological and morphological characterization of hippocampal neurons from Clcn4-/- and Clcn4A549V rat models.
• Electrophysiological characterization of Clcn3-/- and Clcn4-/- neurons from zebrafish.