As neuroscience enters the post-genomic era, a major goal is the translation of genomic sequence information into a molecular understanding of the mechanisms of neuronal information processing and transfer. Dr. Trimmer's research focuses on protein function, biochemical pathways and networks of protein-protein interactions regulating mammalian neuronal signaling. In particular, they are interested in the molecular characteristics of signaling complexes containing voltage-sensitive ion channels, proteins which determine the intrinsic electrical properties of neurons and how these cells respond to external stimuli, integrate the encoded information and generate an appropriate response. Their studies are aimed at a molecular understanding of how these important signaling molecules generate and maintain the fidelity of neuronal signaling, and how these processes can be dynamically regulated to generate phenotypic plasticity. Such information is necessary for an understanding of not only the normal function of neurons, but also in understanding disease states where excitability is altered, such as epilepsy and peripheral demyelinating disorders (e.g. multiple sclerosis). Characterization of native ion channels and associated interacting proteins as potential drug targets for these diseases, for neurodegenerative disorders where restoration of function may come from modulation of ion channel function in surviving neurons, and for other disorders of the nervous system remains an important facet of our analyses. Moreover, these studies are representative of approaches that would prove advantageous to future studies on other neuronal signaling complexes.

Selected Publications:
Misonou, H., Mohapatra, D. P., Park, E. W., Leung, V., Zhen, D., Misono, K., Anderson, A. E., and J. S. Trimmer. (2004). Regulation of Ion Channel Localization and Phosphorylation by Neuronal Activity. Nature Neurosci. 7: 711-718.

Trimmer, J. S. (2004) Peering into the Birth Canal during Ion Channel Parturition. Neuron 44:214-216.

Pyott, S. J., Glowatzki, E., Trimmer, J. S., and R. W. Aldrich. (2004) Extrasynaptic Localization of Inactivating Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels in Mouse Inner Hair Cells. J. Neurosci. 24:9469-9474.

Meyer, M. P., Trimmer, J. S., Gilthorpe, J. D., and S. J. Smith. (2005). Characterization of Zebrafish PSD-95 Gene Family Members. J. Neurobiol. 63:91-105.

Misonou, H., Mohapatra, D. P., Menegola, M., and J. S. Trimmer. (2005). Calcium- and Metabolic State-Dependent Modulation of the Voltage-Dependent Kv2.1 Channel Regulates Neuronal Excitability in Response to Ischemia. J. Neurosci. 25:11184-11193.

Mohapatra, D. P., and J. S. Trimmer. (2006). The Kv2.1 C-Terminus Can Autonomously Transfer Kv2.1-Like Phosphorylation-Dependent Localization, Voltage-Dependent Gating and Muscarinic Modulation to Diverse Kv Channels. J. Neurosci. 26:685-695.

For more information see our website - http://neuroseries.info.nih.gov