Publications

Dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) agonists are frequently used to study the role of D1Rs in neurotransmission and behaviour. They have been repeatedly shown to modulate glutamatergic NMDAR currents in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), giving rise to the idea that D1R activation tunes glutamatergic networks by regulating NMDAR activity. We report that the widely used D1R agonist SKF81297 potentiates NMDAR currents in a dose-dependent manner, independently of ...

Cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) are promising targets for a number of diseases, including obesity, neuropathic pain, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Upon ligand-mediated activation of these receptors, multiple receptor conformations could be stabilized, resulting in a complex pattern of possible intracellular effects. Although numerous compounds have been developed and widely used to target cannabinoid receptors, their ...

In this thesis I present a further characterization of the members of the EGF-TM7 family of adhesion class heptahelical receptors. In a second part I describe the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor family member CD27 as a new marker for the characterization of functional different NK cell subsets in humans.

Objectives: Angiotensin II, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interact within the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) modulating the central regulation of blood pressure and sympathetic tone. Our aim was to assess the effects of local angiotensin II type 2 receptor stimulation within the RVLM and the PVN on neurotransmitter concentrations and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Methods:In vivo ...

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are the most chemically diverse group of new psychoactive substances. This group has been associated with several intoxications, many with fatal outcomes. Although advancements have been achieved in pharmacology, metabolism, and detection of these compounds in recent years, these aspects are still unresolved for many SCs. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro potency of 14 indole- and indazole-based ...

In cannabinoid (CB) receptor signaling, CB1 and CB2 receptors and G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK1/GIRK2) channels have attracted considerable attention from scientists in investigating their therapeutic potential for diverse diseases, especially in neurological diseases. CB1 and CB2 receptors, the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and members of the endocannabinoid system, are pleiotropic signaling molecules and ...

The formation, function, and plasticity of synapses require dynamic changes in synaptic receptor composition. Here, we identify the sorting receptor SorCS1 as a key regulator of synaptic receptor trafficking. Four independent proteomic analyses identify the synaptic adhesion molecule neurexin and the AMPA glutamate receptor (AMPAR) as major proteins sorted by SorCS1. SorCS1 localizes to early and recycling endosomes and regulates neurexin and ...

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists and antagonists are commonly used androgen deprivation therapies prescribed for patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Both types of agent target the receptor for LHRH but differ in their mode of action: agonists, via pituitary LRHR receptors (LHRH-Rs), cause an initial surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and, subsequently, testosterone. Continued ...

Transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels are renowned for their ability to sense diverse chemical stimuli. Still, for many members of this large and heterogeneous protein family it is unclear how their activity is regulated and whether they are influenced by endogenous substances. On the other hand, steroidal compounds are increasingly recognized to have rapid effects on membrane surface receptors that often have not been identified at ...