11.1. 2016, Buněčná a molekulární neuroendokrinologie

PhD project: Molecular structure and function of P2X receptors and their role in regulation of neuroendocrine cell function.

The P2X receptors are ligand gated ion channels activated by extracellular ATP. They play a role in neurotransmission, modulation of neurotransmitter and hormone release, inflammation and pain sensation. The aim of this PhD project is to study structure-function relationship of P2X receptors, their gating mechanisms and binding sites for agonists and allosteric modulators. The research will be focused on recombinant P2X4 and P2X7 receptor subtypes, and P2X receptors endogenously expressed in hypothalamic and pituitary cells. Techniques used in this project will involve cellular electrophysiology, molecular biology, genetic modification of receptors, western blotting, calcium imaging, confocal microscopy and recording from primary culture of pituitary cells and neurons in rat rain slices.

Candidate’s profile (requirements):

We are looking for self-motivated candidates with master's degree or equivalent in the field of biomedicine, physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry or biophysics, or those expecting to obtain their degree this year. Experience with cellular electrophysiology is advantage.

Relevant publications:

Svobodova I, Bhattacharya A, Ivetic M, Bendova Z, Zemkova H (2018) Circadian ATP Release in Organotypic Cultures of the Rat Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Is Dependent on P2X7 and P2Y Receptors. Frontiers in pharmacology 9:192.
Mackay L, Zemkova H, Stojilkovic SS, Sherman A, and Khadra A (2017) Deciphering the regulation of P2X4 receptor channel gating by ivermectin using Markov models. PLoS computational biology 13, e1005643.
Jindrichova M, Bhattacharya A, Rupert M, Skopek P, Obsil T, Zemkova H (2015) Functional characterization of mutants in the transmembrane domains of the rat P2X7 receptor that regulate pore conductivity and agonist sensitivity. J Neurochem 133(6): 815-27 .
Bhattacharya A, Vavra V, Svobodova I, Bendova Z, Vereb G, Zemkova H (2013) Potentiation of inhibitory synaptic transmission by extracellular ATP in rat suprachiasmatic nuclei. J Neurosci 33:8035-8044.

Supervisor: Hana Zemková, PhD.