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Mechano-transduction in ?-cells

Terrmin

HT23

Beskrivning

Pancreatic ?-cells contribute to the regulation of blood glucose level by releasing the
hormone insulin in a glucose dependent manner. Recently, mechano-sensitivity of ?-cells has
been shown to modulate insulin secretion and force-activated Piezo1 channel has been
directly involved in this action.
The primary cilium, an organelle in contact with the external environment of the cell and
postulated to partake in probing its mechanical landscape, may be part of the reported
response of ?-cells.
In addition to Piezo1, ?-cells are known to express other receptors that can respond to force
such as different members of the TRP channel family (transient receptor potential channels),
being TRPV4 the most prominent of them.
The aim of this project is to investigate the pathways implicated in transduction of mechanical
stimuli in pancreatic ?-cells. More specifically, the hypothesis that the cilium can take part in
mechano-transduction will be tested.
For this purpose two parallel approaches will be undertaken: 1) detection of endogenous
receptors Piezo1 and TRPV4 by means of antibody immunostaining and 2) expression of
fluorescently tagged cloned receptors (both Piezo1 and TRPV4). In addition, an antibody
directed against a ciliary marker (acetylated tubulin) for cilia visualization will be employed.
All experiments will be performed on a well characterized ?-cell line (MIN6, mouse insulinoma
cell) and spinning disc confocal microscopy will be used to visualize the cell’s fluorescent
labeling.
Finally, the project involves familiarization with image processing for data extraction (use of
freely distributed ImageJ software package).

Huvudområde

Farmaceutisk vetenskap

Ämne

Fysiologi

Typ

Laborativ studie

Företag

Uppsala Universitet

Ort/Plats

BMC, Uppsala

Handledarens namn

Gonzalo Sanchez

Handledarens e-post

Gonzalo.Sanchez@mcb.uu.se

Institution

Institutionen för medicinsk cellbiologi

Program

Apotekarprogrammet

Kurs

Fördjupningsprojekt i fysiologi 30 hp - 3MC333

Omfattning/hp

30hp