CEMBRANOIDS AND RNA'S: NEW TOOLS TO STUDY RECEPTORS

中央加勒比大学（UCC）分子与行为神经科学中心（CMBN）正在申请一项神经科学专业研究计划的支持。拟议的计划包括三个相互关联的研究项目和一个核心设施。一系列额外的活动将有助于研究人员、教师和学生的科学发展。在此过程中，我们希望将UCC的神经科学研究质量提升到具有国家竞争力的水平。这个项目是UCC的科学家和其他四所大学的同事共同努力的结果。他们有共同的兴趣，并在知识和可用的方法上相互补充。项目和活动的结构是为了使所有相关方受益。项目1研究尼古丁和类膜物质的神经保护作用，由加州大学洛杉矶分校的Pedro Ferchmin博士（行为和电生理学）和加州大学洛杉矶分校的Jean de Vellis博士（第二信使通路）负责。项目2将表征烟碱乙酰胆碱受体上的类膜和RNA结合位点，继续与dr。UCC的Richard Hann和Vesna Eterovic（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方法的电生理学）。项目3将研究可卡因致敏的去甲肾上腺素能调节，特别强调从多巴胺转运体中取代可卡因的rna。该项目将整合Carlos Jimenez-Rivera博士（加州大学圣地亚哥分校，电生理学）、Jose' Ortiz博士（波多黎各大学医学院，神经药理学）和Hess博士的专业知识。最后，波多黎各大学（university of Puerto Rico）的罗德里格斯博士（Dr. Rodriguez）领导的“天然产物核心”（Natural Products Core）将提供拟议工作所需的类膜和合成衍生物。这项工作与神经变性和神经保护的重要现象有关，可能应用于中风治疗。通过阐明对精神刺激物的衰老过程中涉及的一些基本神经过程，它也可能为这些物质的滥用提供新的治疗策略。最后，对胆碱能受体的研究在重症肌无力和神经退行性疾病方面有可能应用。

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.