Pawel Licznerski, PhD
Associate Research Scientist in Medicine (Endocrinology)Cards
About
Research
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Featured Publications
ATP Synthase c-Subunit Leak Causes Aberrant Cellular Metabolism in Fragile X Syndrome
Licznerski P, Park HA, Rolyan H, Chen R, Mnatsakanyan N, Miranda P, Graham M, Wu J, Cruz-Reyes N, Mehta N, Sohail S, Salcedo J, Song E, Effman C, Effman S, Brandao L, Xu GN, Braker A, Gribkoff VK, Levy RJ, Jonas EA. ATP Synthase c-Subunit Leak Causes Aberrant Cellular Metabolism in Fragile X Syndrome. Cell 2020, 182: 1170-1185.e9. PMID: 32795412, PMCID: PMC7484101, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.07.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFragile X syndromeC subunitAberrant synaptic developmentHuman fragile X syndromeATP synthase enzymeMental retardation proteinX syndromeATP production efficiencyMRNA translation rateAberrant cellular metabolismATP synthaseMRNA translationTranslation rateCellular metabolismSynaptic growthSynthase enzymeMouse neuronsSynapse maturationSynaptic developmentPharmacological inhibitionLeak channelsSynaptic maturationMembrane leakMaturationMetabolismInefficient thermogenic mitochondrial respiration due to futile proton leak in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome
Griffiths KK, Wang A, Wang L, Tracey M, Kleiner G, Quinzii CM, Sun L, Yang G, Perez‐Zoghbi J, Licznerski P, Yang M, Jonas EA, Levy RJ. Inefficient thermogenic mitochondrial respiration due to futile proton leak in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. The FASEB Journal 2020, 34: 7404-7426. PMID: 32307754, PMCID: PMC7692004, DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000283rr.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFragile X syndromeProton leakMental retardation protein (FMRP) expressionInefficient oxidative phosphorylationX syndromeCoenzyme Q deficiencyThermogenic respirationMitochondrial CoQTranscriptional silencingFMRP deficiencyFmr1 knockout miceQ deficiencyDysfunctional mitochondriaFMR1 geneFXS phenotypeOxidative phosphorylationMitochondrial respirationCommon genetic causeProtein synthesisFull mutationKey phenotypicPeak of synaptogenesisMitochondriaProtein expressionGenetic causeAlpha-tocotrienol enhances arborization of primary hippocampal neurons via upregulation of Bcl-xL
Park HA, Crowe-White KM, Ciesla L, Scott M, Bannerman S, Davis AU, Adhikari B, Burnett G, Broman K, Ferdous KA, Lackey KH, Licznerski P, Jonas EA. Alpha-tocotrienol enhances arborization of primary hippocampal neurons via upregulation of Bcl-xL. Nutrition Research 2022, 101: 31-42. PMID: 35366596, PMCID: PMC9081260, DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2022.02.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrimary hippocampal neuronsControl neuronsHippocampal neuronsAlpha-tocotrienolBcl-xLVitamin E familyCerebral ischemiaNeuronal viabilityMature neuronsB cellsNeurite complexityNeuronal functionMitochondrial energy productionBrain developmentCentral mechanismsNeuronsBeneficial effectsOxidative stressBcl-xL upregulationProtein levelsNeurite branchingTreatmentE familyATP levelsNeurite outgrowthAlpha-Tocotrienol Prevents Oxidative Stress-Mediated Post-Translational Cleavage of Bcl-xL in Primary Hippocampal Neurons
Park HA, Mnatsakanyan N, Broman K, Davis AU, May J, Licznerski P, Crowe-White KM, Lackey KH, Jonas EA. Alpha-Tocotrienol Prevents Oxidative Stress-Mediated Post-Translational Cleavage of Bcl-xL in Primary Hippocampal Neurons. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences 2019, 21: 220. PMID: 31905614, PMCID: PMC6982044, DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010220.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrimary hippocampal neuronsHippocampal neuronsReactive oxygen speciesMitochondrial dysfunctionBcl-xLMitochondrial membrane potentialMitochondrial functionProduction of ROSExcitotoxic conditionsGlutamate challengeNeuroprotective propertiesMembrane potentialNeuronal deathExcitotoxic stimulationBcl-xL levelsNeuronal survivalIntracellular ATP depletionMitochondrial reactive oxygen speciesB cellsImportant causeDysfunctionNeuronsROS productionATP depletionNeurite outgrowthParkinson’s disease protein DJ-1 regulates ATP synthase protein components to increase neuronal process outgrowth
Chen R, Park HA, Mnatsakanyan N, Niu Y, Licznerski P, Wu J, Miranda P, Graham M, Tang J, Boon AJW, Cossu G, Mandemakers W, Bonifati V, Smith PJS, Alavian KN, Jonas EA. Parkinson’s disease protein DJ-1 regulates ATP synthase protein components to increase neuronal process outgrowth. Cell Death & Disease 2019, 10: 469. PMID: 31197129, PMCID: PMC6565618, DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1679-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDJ-1C subunitATP synthaseParkinson's disease protein DJ-1Β-subunitProtein componentsATP synthase β subunitMitochondrial uncouplingDJ-1 bindsATP synthase efficiencyATP synthase F1Synthase β subunitATP production efficiencyProtein DJ-1Neuronal process extensionProtein levelsNeuronal process outgrowthDJ-1 knockoutWild-type counterpartsSubunit protein levelsDJ-1 mutationsSevere defectsCell metabolismKO neuronsKO culturesRemodeling of axo-spinous synapses in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression
Licznerski P, Duman RS. Remodeling of axo-spinous synapses in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. Neuroscience 2012, 251: 33-50. PMID: 23036622, PMCID: PMC3566360, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.09.057.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAxo-spinous synapsesAlters spine morphologyPathophysiology of depressionTreatment of depressionLimbic brain regionsEffective therapeutic agentExpression of prePlasticity-related proteinsStress-related illnessesBasic research studiesSynaptic machineryBehavioral deficitsDendritic spinesPsychiatric disordersAnimal modelsFunctional alterationsSynaptic plasticityBrain regionsSpine morphologyPrefrontal cortexTherapeutic agentsStress exposureNeuronal communicationBrain imagingSpine architectureA Bcl-xL–Drp1 complex regulates synaptic vesicle membrane dynamics during endocytosis
Li H, Alavian KN, Lazrove E, Mehta N, Jones A, Zhang P, Licznerski P, Graham M, Uo T, Guo J, Rahner C, Duman RS, Morrison RS, Jonas EA. A Bcl-xL–Drp1 complex regulates synaptic vesicle membrane dynamics during endocytosis. Nature Cell Biology 2013, 15: 773-785. PMID: 23792689, PMCID: PMC3725990, DOI: 10.1038/ncb2791.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBcl-xLVesicle retrievalProtein-protein interactionsClathrin-coated pitsProtein Bcl-xLCalmodulin-dependent mannerRecruitment of vesiclesNeurotransmitter releaseDepletion of Drp1GTPase Drp1Vesicle endocytosisEndocytic vesiclesMembrane dynamicsPlasma membraneClathrin complexMutagenesis studiesPresynaptic plasticityMitochondrial ATPATP availabilityReserve poolDrp1EndocytosisVesiclesHippocampal neuronsComplexesAn uncoupling channel within the c-subunit ring of the F1FO ATP synthase is the mitochondrial permeability transition pore
Alavian KN, Beutner G, Lazrove E, Sacchetti S, Park HA, Licznerski P, Li H, Nabili P, Hockensmith K, Graham M, Porter GA, Jonas EA. An uncoupling channel within the c-subunit ring of the F1FO ATP synthase is the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2014, 111: 10580-10585. PMID: 24979777, PMCID: PMC4115574, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1401591111.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCalciumCell DeathHEK293 CellsHumansIon Channel GatingIon ChannelsLiposomesMitochondriaMitochondrial Membrane Transport ProteinsMitochondrial MembranesMitochondrial Permeability Transition PoreMutationProtein ConformationProtein SubunitsProton-Translocating ATPasesRatsReactive Oxygen SpeciesConceptsMitochondrial PT poreF1Fo-ATP synthaseATP synthasePermeability transitionCell deathCellular metabolic efficiencyInner mitochondrial membrane permeabilityOxygen species-induced cell deathC subunit ringATP synthase F1Mitochondrial membrane permeabilityMitochondrial permeability transitionC subunitPT poreTight regulationATP productionMolecular identitySingle-channel conductanceChannel closureLeak channelsMPTP openingMetabolic efficiencyMembrane permeabilityHealthy cellsOsmotic shiftsBcl-xL Is Necessary for Neurite Outgrowth in Hippocampal Neurons
Park HA, Licznerski P, Alavian KN, Shanabrough M, Jonas EA. Bcl-xL Is Necessary for Neurite Outgrowth in Hippocampal Neurons. Antioxidants And Redox Signaling 2015, 22: 93-108. PMID: 24787232, PMCID: PMC4281845, DOI: 10.1089/ars.2013.5570.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDeath receptor 6Hippocampal neuronsNeurite outgrowthExacerbation of hypoxiaBcl-xLNeuronal outgrowthNeuronal process outgrowthNeuronal injuryNeurodegenerative stimuliVivo ischemiaHypoxic injuryNeuronal survivalBrain injuryImpairs neurite outgrowthHypoxic controlsSynapse numberAxonal pruningNeurite damageB cellsReceptor 6Synaptic plasticityDR6 expressionSynapse formationEarly increaseNeuronsDecreased SGK1 Expression and Function Contributes to Behavioral Deficits Induced by Traumatic Stress
Licznerski P, Duric V, Banasr M, Alavian KN, Ota KT, Kang HJ, Jonas EA, Ursano R, Krystal JH, Duman RS. Decreased SGK1 Expression and Function Contributes to Behavioral Deficits Induced by Traumatic Stress. PLOS Biology 2015, 13: e1002282. PMID: 26506154, PMCID: PMC4623974, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002282.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAnimalsBehavior, AnimalCohort StudiesDendritic SpinesDepressive Disorder, MajorEnzyme RepressionFemaleGene Transfer TechniquesHippocampusHumansImmediate-Early ProteinsMaleMiddle AgedNerve Tissue ProteinsNeuronsPrefrontal CortexProtein Serine-Threonine KinasesRats, Sprague-DawleySignal TransductionStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticSynaptic TransmissionTissue BanksConceptsMajor depressive disorderPost-traumatic stress disorderPrefrontal cortexAbnormal dendritic spine morphologyCorticolimbic brain regionsAnhedonic-like behaviorInhibition of SGK1Dendritic spine morphologyKinase 1 expressionAmygdala of individualsTraumatic stressPostmortem prefrontal cortexSynaptic dysfunctionDepressive disorderBehavioral deficitsRodent modelsPTSD subjectsFunctional alterationsBrain regionsSGK1 expressionSpine morphologyStress disorderFunction contributesBehavioral changesDisorders