Objective
Previously, we used voltage-activated potassium (Kv) channels as reporters to identify and examine the contributions of individual voltage-activated sodium (Nav) channel paddle motifs to the kinetics of voltage sensor activation and to toxin receptors (Bosmans et al., 2008). Inspired by our results, we now want to deconstruct the function and pharmacology of Nav1.9 a channel of which our knowledge is very rudimentary because no pharmacological agents are available. Furthermore, attempts to express this channel in a heterologous expression system have failed. Our chimaera approach can reveal if Nav1.9 contains paddle motifs that sense changes in membrane voltage which, in turn, can activate the channel. Functional chimaeras of Nav1.9 with Kv channels will be used to screen for agents that interact with this channel. Extrapolation of the obtained results will enable us to identify and study Nav1.9 in its native environment. We are also interested in exploring the relationship between Nav channel paddle motifs with the surrounding lipid environment. Based on our previous results, we hypothesize that interactions of one specific paddle with lipids are unique and are responsible for slowing voltage sensor activation. We want to investigate this hypothesis by studying the effects of membrane lipid modifications on Nav channel chimaeras, on wild-type Nav channel kinetics and on toxin interaction. Finally, we are interested in learning more about the working mechanism and pharmacology of Nav channels in relation to their auxiliary beta-subunits. These subunits modulate Nav channel activity and are involved in several pathophysiological disorders. We are particularly interested in determining whether beta-subunits can modulate the pharmacology of Nav channels. If so, we will try to unravel the underlying mechanisms.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine medicinal chemistry
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkali metals
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
3000 LEUVEN
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.