Objective This project concerns the vascular physiopathology of the receptor-ion channel complex Polycystin1/Polycystin2 (PC1/PC2). Mutations in the PC genes PKD1 and PKD2 provoke autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This is one of the most frequent inherited kidney diseases with a prevalence of about 1/1000. Arterial hypertension, cerebral aneurysms and prolapse of the mitral valve are also associated with ADPKD.The molecular and cellular mechanisms linking PC with the cardio-vascular phenotype are still unknown. Dr. Eric Honore (CNRS, Valbonne) has been working on the molecular physiology of ion channels since several years. His laboratory is currently developing complementary strategies of molecular cloning, proteomic analysis, functional reconstitution, electrophysiology, calcium imaging and transgenics for the study of mechano-sensitive ion channels. We will examine the role of the PC1/PC2 molecular complex in the regulation of vascular calcium homeostasis.Specifically, we will study ion channel activity of PC at the level of both the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. I will use my expertise in protein purification and functional reconstitution into artificial bilayers to understand the molecular basis of PC mechano-sensitivity. This study will be useful to address the role of PC in vascular physiology. Moreover, these results will provide information concerning the genesis of cerebral aneurysms and arterial hypertension associated with ADPKD. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicineangiologyvascular diseasesnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkaline earth metalsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologyhomeostasismedical and health sciencesclinical medicinenephrologykidney diseases Keywords ADPKD ER-membrane Mechanosensation Polycystins cell-membrane Programme(s) FP6-MOBILITY - Human resources and Mobility in the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration "Structuring the European Research Area" under the Sixth Framework Programme 2002-2006 Topic(s) MOBILITY-2.1 - Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowships (EIF) Call for proposal FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme EIF - Marie Curie actions-Intra-European Fellowships Coordinator CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EU contribution No data Address 3 rue Michel Ange PARIS France See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data