INSTITUTE OF PHYSIOLOGY CAS

Sensor domain of TRPA1 channel contributes to detection of painful stimuli Acute pain is a normal reaction of the somatosensory system to noxious stimulation which serves a protective function and is the first symptom of disease, especially of inflammatory origin. In its chronic form, pain is maladaptive and has a significant impact on quality of life. The scientists from the Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Division of Biomolecular Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, investigate the function of a distinct group of proteins involved in the mechanisms of acute and chronic pain.

Elucidation of molecular basis of 14-3-3 protein-dependent activation of trehalase Nth1 in yeast cells The research team of Veronika Obsilova from the Institute of Physiology CAS and Tomas Obsil from the Faculty of Science, Charles University deciphered the mechanism by which the 14-3-3 protein regulates the function of yeast neutral trehalase Nth1.

Axon zippering and its control by tension forces Axon bundling plays an important role in the formation of brain circuits and peripheral nerves. This dynamical process is regulated by the competition of adhesive forces and mechanical tension in the axons.

Cellular and molecular basis of memory Recently, experimental work has focused on understanding molecular and cellular basis of memory. Results show that memory is associated with long-term changes in the efficacy of synaptic transmission at glutamatergic synapses.