CEMBRANOIDS AND RNA'S: NEW TOOLS TO STUDY RECEPTORS

中央加勒比大学(UCC)分子和行为神经科学中心(CMBN)正在申请一项专门的神经科学研究计划的支持。拟议的方案由三个相互关联的研究项目和一个核心设施组成。一系列额外的活动将有助于研究人员、教职员工和学生的科学发展。在这一过程中，我们希望将UCC的神经科学研究质量提升到国家竞争力的水平。该项目是UCC科学家和来自其他四所大学的同事共同努力的成果。他们有着共同的兴趣，在知识和可用的方法上相辅相成。项目和活动的结构是为了使所有参与方受益。L项目致力于尼古丁和西莫地里类化合物的神经保护作用，将由加州大学行为和电生理学的Pedro Ferchmin博士和加州大学洛杉矶分校的Jean de Vellis博士(第二信使途径)进行。项目2将描述烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体上的西膜类和RNA结合位点，继续UCC的Richard Hann博士和Vesna Eterovic博士(受体结构、配体结合研究)和康奈尔大学的George Hess博士(使用快速动力学技术和SELEX方法进行电生理学)之间富有成效的合作。项目3将研究可卡因敏化的去甲肾上腺素能调制，特别强调取代多巴胺转运体中可卡因的RNA。该项目将整合卡洛斯·希门尼斯-里维拉博士(UCC，电生理学)、何塞·奥尔蒂斯博士(Univ.波多黎各医学学院、神经药理学)和赫斯博士。最后是罗德里格斯博士在大学执导的“天然产品核心”。波多黎各的Rio Piedra5将提供拟议工作所需的西布拉类化合物和合成衍生物。这项工作与神经退行性变和神经保护的重要现象有关，并可能应用于中风治疗。通过阐明对精神兴奋剂敏感的一些基本神经过程，也可能为滥用这些物质提供新的治疗策略。最后，胆碱能受体的研究有可能应用于重症肌无力和神经退行性疾病。

The Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience (CMBN) of Universidad Central del Caribe (UCC) is applying for support for a Specialized Neuroscience Research Program. The proposed program consists of three interrelated research projects and a core facility. A series of additional activities will contribute to the scientific development of investigators, faculty, and students. In the process, we expect to elevate the quality of neuroscience research at the UCC to the level of national competitiveness. This program is a collaborative effort between UCC scientists and colleagues from four other universities. They share common interests and complement each other in knowledge and available methodology. The projects and activities are structured in order to benefit all parties involved. Project l addresses the neuroprotective role o nicotine and cembranoids, and will be conducted by Dr. Pedro Ferchmin from UCC (behavior and electrophysiology) and Dr. Jean de Vellis from University of California&Los Angeles (second messenger pathways). Project 2 will characterize the cembranoid and RNA binding sites on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, continuing a productive collaboration between Drs. Richard Hann and Vesna Eterovic from UCC, (receptor structure, ligand binding studies) and Dr. George Hess from Cornell University (electrophysiology using rapid kinetic technique and SELEX methodology). Project 3 will study the noradrenergic modulation of cocaine sensitization, with particular emphasis on RNAs that displace cocaine from the dopamine transporter. This project will integrate the expertise o Dr. Carlos Jimenez-Rivera (UCC, electrophysiology), Dr. Jose' Ortiz (Univ. of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, neuropharmacology) and Dr. Hess. Finally, a 'Natural Products Core' directed by Dr. Rodriguez at the Univ. of Puerto Rico Rio Piedra5 will supply the cembranoids and synthetic derivatives needed for the work proposed. The proposed work is relevant to the important phenomena of neurodegeneration and neuropr0tection, with possible applications to stroke therapy. By clarifying some of the fundamental neural processes involved in sen5itization to psycho stimulants, it may also provide novel therapeutic strategies for the abuse of these substances. Finally, the studies on cholinergic receptors have possible applications to mya5thenia gravis and neurodegenerative diseases.