Prof. (Emeritus) Nathan Dascal
We are studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of electrical activity in neurons and cardiac cells, its regulation by hormones and neurotransmitters via effects on G proteins and ion channels. We are actively studying mechanisms of diseases caused by mutations in proteins involved in these processes using model systems (cultured cells and transgenic mice), and work toward the development of drugs to treat these diseases. The methods used are electrophysiology, protein biochemistry, FRET, recombinant DNA, mathematical, structural and kinetic modeling, immunocytochemistry.
Projects in the lab:
Molecular mechanisms of function and regulation of G protein activated K+ channels (GIRK) and neuronal Ca2+ channels (Cav2) in health and disease.
Mechanisms and drug treatment of diseases caused by mutations in G proteins and ion channels: hyperaldosteronism, GNB1 encephalopathy, epilepsy.
Regulation of transmitter release by neurotransmitters and G proteins (in collaboration with Prof. Ilana Lotan).
Brain Disorders Research
Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience
- Katz M, Subramaniam S, Chomsky-Hecht O, Tsemakhovich V, Flockerzi V, Klussmann E, Hirsch J, Weiss S & Dascal N. (2021). Reconstitution of β-adrenergic regulation of CaV1.2: Rad-dependent and Rad-independent protein kinase A mechanisms. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 118 (21), e2100021118. DOI: 10.1101/2020.11.30.403964
- Colombo S, Reddy HP, Petri S, Williams DJ, Shalomov B, Dhindsa RS, Gelfman S, Krizay D, Bera AK, Yang M, Peng Y, Makinson CD, Boland MJ, Frankel WN, Goldstein DB & Dascal N. (2023). Epilepsy in a mouse model of GNB1 Encephalopathy arises from altered potassium channel (GIRK) signaling and is alleviated by a GIRK inhibitor. Front Cell Neurosci, 17: 1175895 https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2023.1175895
- Oz S, Keren-Raifman T, Sharon T, Subramaniam S, Pallien T, Katz M, Tsemakhovich V, Sholokh A, Watad B, Tripathy DR, Sasson G, Chomsky-Hecht O, Vysochek L, Schulz-Christian M, Fecher-Trost C, Zühlke K, Bertinetti D, Herberg FW, Flockerzi V, Hirsch JA, Klussmann E, Weiss S & Dascal N. (2024) Tripartite interactions of PKA catalytic subunit and C-terminal domains of cardiac Ca2+ channel may modulate its β-adrenergic regulation. BMC Biology 22. 10.1186/s12915-024-02076-9.
- Shalomov B, Friesacher T, Yakubovich D, Combista JC, Reddy HP, Dabbah S, Bernsteiner H, Zangerl-Plessl E-M, Stary-Weinzinger A & Dascal N. (2024) Ethosuximide: subunit- and Gβγ-dependent blocker and reporter of allosteric changes in GIRK channels. British Journal of Pharmacology, in press
