Christian Grimm (LMU München)

Endolysosomal Ca2+ channels as novel pharmacologcial drug targets

Host: Ursula Rescher

Research on endolysosomal ion channels and transporters has gained considerable momentum in recent years, as new technologies are now available to investigate the function and physiology of these important intracellular membrane proteins in more detail. For example, endolysosomal patch-clamp electrophysiological techniques, intracellular sensors for endolysosomal Ca2+ and pH measurements or new animal models have been developed. Using these new techniques, it has been discovered that endolysosomal cation channels such as TRPML channels or two-pore channels (TPCs) play important physiological roles in a variety of organs and that defects or alterations in their function are associated with lysosomal storage diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, immune cell dysfunction, lung, liver and heart diseases and cancers (e.g. melanoma). Advances in the pharmacology of these novel membrane proteins are progressing at an unprecedented pace thanks to the growing interest and commitment of the pharmaceutical industry. The current lecture will present recent and current (unpublished) findings on the physiological and pathophysiological role of TRPML channels and TPCs with a particular focus on its suitability as a pharmacological drug target.

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