// YULIIA NIKONISHYNA
Striessnig Research Group
Institute of Pharmacy, Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology
University of Innsbruck
// INFORMATION
Nationality: Ukrainian
Education: MSc in Biochemistry, at the University of Kyiv – Ukraine
E-Mail: Yuliia.Nikonishyna@uibk.ac.at
ORCID
Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jörg Striessnig
// PROJECT
In the brain, Cav1.3 voltage-gated L-type calcium channels are expressed postsynaptically and due to low activation threshold play a crucial role in pace-making activity in neurons. Importantly, Ca2+ influx through Cav1.3 channels not only regulates neuronal firing but also mediates excitation-transcription coupling and plays an important role in synapse maturation, synaptic pruning and synaptic connectivity. Genetic studies identified a strong link between Cav1.3 mutations and neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular autism spectrum disorder. In this vein, we investigate the effect of these mutations in Cav1.3 pore-forming subunit identified in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders on the channel gating. Since these pathogenic mutations were shown to cause increased Ca2+ influx through the channel (gain-of-function), we also aim to address the question how they can change brain functioning on the synaptic level. Specifically, we are interested whether pathogenic mutations in Cav1.3 pore-forming subunit affect dendritic spine morphology using an autism mouse model developed in our laboratory.
Methods: Whole-cell patch-clamp, molecular cloning, primary neuronal cell culture and transfection, immunofluorescent stainings, high-resolution microscopy.
// PUBLICATIONS
// INTERNAL COLABORATIONS
- Obermair Group: Stefanie Geisler, Cornelia Ablinger
// EXTERNAL COLLABORATIONS
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Jörg B. Schulz, Universitätsklinikum Aachen
- Mag. pharm. Teresa Kaserer, PhD, University of Innsbruck