PAIN_TRPV2

Single Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Biophysical Characterization of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 2 channel: a Three-Dimensional Structure Characterization of a Membrane Nociceptor

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The IOF call is a unique opportunity for the researcher to carry out this project. Transient Receptor Potential channels are extremely interesting since some of them are receptors for pain (nociceptors). The actual subject of research is the structural characterization of TRPV2, a nociceptor which responds to different stimuli such as cannabidiol, pressure and noxious heat. TRPV2 is expected to be a large membrane protein (potential homotetramer of ~400 KDa). To study TRPV2’s 3D structure, single particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy is the most suitable method. Further biophysical characterization of the inactive and active states of TRPV2 by FTIR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry will be carried out. The research results will contribute to drug therapeutics on acute and chronic pain treatment. The Outgoing phase will take place at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (affiliated to Harvard Medical School, Boston U.S.A.). The present proposal gathers a skilful and experienced Outgoing host in single particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Supervised by Dr. Montserrat Samsó) with a talented and experienced young researcher (Dr. Alex Perálvarez-Marín) in order to generate a transfer of knowledge to a European host. This is the recently created Centre d’Estudis en Biofísica (Supervised by Prof. Esteve Padrós), in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain), which is looking for a potential enhancement in its Structural Biology section. The Return host is embedded in Barcelona’s unique scientific environment. The ongoing Centre d’Estudis en Biofísica and the Mare Nostrum Supercomputing facilities, in addition to the new Alba Synchrotron and the planned Institute for Structural Biology, are a very suitable environment to reintegrate the researcher by means of this advanced and innovative research project, expected to strongly contribute to the European excellence and competitiveness.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Pain is largely mediated through protein receptors on cell surfaces. The EU and United States have collaborated to investigate in detail the structure of a pain receptor for targeted pain therapy.