Research
in Dr. Aizenman’s laboratory is directed towards investigating cellular signaling processes leading to neuronal cell death.
Acute and chronic injurious processes in the brain lead to the activation of signaling cascades that eventually result in the demise of neurons. In Dr. Aizenman's laboratory, molecular pathways leading to cell death are being carefully dissected in order to provide novel therapeutic targets to treat neurodegenerative disorders. This laboratory works on the premise that there are common final mediators of cell death signaling events that can be effectively targeted to treat neural disorders. This work if primarily focused on acute neuronal injury, such as that occurring during stroke, trauma and epilepsy. Nonetheless, the results obtained from these studies could have broader applications to more chronic conditions, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
Recent key publications:
Aras, M.A., R.A. Saadi and E. Aizenman. Zn(2+) regulates Kv2.1 voltage-dependent gating and localization following ischemia. European Journal of Neuroscience (in press).
Redman, P.T., K.A. Hartnett, M.A. Aras, E.S. Levitan and E. Aizenman. Regulation of apoptotic potassium currents by coordinated zinc-dependent signaling. Journal of Physiology 2009; 587:4393-4404.
Hershfinkel, M., K. Kandler, M.E. Knoch, M. Dagan-Rabin, M.A. Aras, C. Abramovitch-Dahan, I. Sekler and E. Aizenman. Intracellular zinc inhibits KCC2 transporter activity. Nature Neuroscience 2009; 12:725-727.
Aras, M.A., H. Hara, K.A. Hartnett, K. Kandler and E. Aizenman. PKC regulation of neuronal zinc signaling mediates survival during preconditioning. Journal of Neurochemistry 2009; 110:106-117.
Knoch, M.E., K.A. Hartnett, H. Hara, K. Kandler and E. Aizenman. Microglia induce neurotoxicity via intraneuronal Zn(2+) release and a K(+) current surge. Glia 2008; 56:89-96.
Redman, P.T.,
K. He, K.A. Hartnett, B.S. Jefferson, L. Hu, P.A. Rosenberg, E.S. Levitan
and E. Aizenman. Apoptotic surge of potassium currents is mediated by
p38 phosphorylation of Kv2.1. Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences (USA) 2007; 104:3568-3573.
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