Keywords

Effects of drugs on ion channels; Neuropharmacology; Neurophysiology; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated

Research interests

I am interested to understand the modulation of ion channels involved in controlling the excitability of peripheral neurons. Two ion channel families, that control excitability are the voltage-gated potassium channel family Kv7 and calcium-activated chloride channels. The activity of both ion channel families is controlled by Gq-coupled receptors via depletion of PIP2 and/ or increase in intracellular calcium. One one hand I want to investigate the endogenous modulation of these channels via G-protein coupled receptors for example in sensory neurons which helps us understand how inflammatory mediators affect nociception. On the other hand I investgate small molecule modulators of these ion channels which might prove useful as analgesics. 

Techniques, methods & infrastructure

Primary neuronal cultures: of superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, and dorsal horn cultures; Voltage- and current-clamp recordings; 

Selected publications

1. Salzer, I. et al., 2016. Phosphorylation regulates the sensitivity of voltage-gated Kv7.2 channels towards phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate. The Journal of Physiology, 595(3), pp.759-776. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1113/JP273274.
2. Salzer, I. et al., 2016. Control of sensory neuron excitability by serotonin involves 5HT2C receptors and Ca2+-activated chloride channels. Neuropharmacology, 110, pp.277-286. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.08.006.
3. Salzer, I. et al., 2014. Excitation of rat sympathetic neurons via M1 muscarinic receptors independently of Kv7 channels. Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology, 466(12), pp.2289-2303. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00424-014-1487-1.