Featured Publications
Mechanotransduction events at the physiological site of touch detection
Ziolkowski L, Gracheva E, Bagriantsev S. Mechanotransduction events at the physiological site of touch detection. ELife 2023, 12: e84179. PMID: 36607222, PMCID: PMC9833821, DOI: 10.7554/elife.84179.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSensational channels
Gracheva EO, Bagriantsev SN. Sensational channels. Cell 2021, 184: 6213-6216. PMID: 34942094, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.11.034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPiezo2 integrates mechanical and thermal cues in vertebrate mechanoreceptors
Zheng W, Nikolaev YA, Gracheva EO, Bagriantsev SN. Piezo2 integrates mechanical and thermal cues in vertebrate mechanoreceptors. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2019, 116: 17547-17555. PMID: 31413193, PMCID: PMC6717272, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1910213116.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA Cross-Species Analysis Reveals a General Role for Piezo2 in Mechanosensory Specialization of Trigeminal Ganglia from Tactile Specialist Birds
Schneider ER, Anderson EO, Feketa VV, Mastrotto M, Nikolaev YA, Gracheva EO, Bagriantsev SN. A Cross-Species Analysis Reveals a General Role for Piezo2 in Mechanosensory Specialization of Trigeminal Ganglia from Tactile Specialist Birds. Cell Reports 2019, 26: 1979-1987.e3. PMID: 30784581, PMCID: PMC6420409, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.01.100.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTrigeminal ganglionPiezo2 ion channelsExpression of moleculesExpression of factorsPiezo2 expressionSomatosensory neuronsNeuronal subtypesSomatosensory systemSuch neuronsSpecialist birdsBird speciesMolecular variationFamily AnatidaeForaging behaviorTactile specializationNeuronsMechanoreceptorsSpecies analysisGangliaGeneral roleBehavioral phenotypesIon channelsGeneral mechanismTactile specialistsFunction of mechanoreceptors3D architecture and a bicellular mechanism of touch detection in mechanosensory corpuscle
Nikolaev Y, Ziolkowski L, Pang S, Li W, Feketa V, Xu C, Gracheva E, Bagriantsev S. 3D architecture and a bicellular mechanism of touch detection in mechanosensory corpuscle. Science Advances 2023, 9: eadi4147. PMID: 37703368, PMCID: PMC10499330, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi4147.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2024
Hypothalamic hormone deficiency enables physiological anorexia in ground squirrels during hibernation
Mohr S, Dai Pra R, Platt M, Feketa V, Shanabrough M, Varela L, Kristant A, Cao H, Merriman D, Horvath T, Bagriantsev S, Gracheva E. Hypothalamic hormone deficiency enables physiological anorexia in ground squirrels during hibernation. Nature Communications 2024, 15: 5803. PMID: 38987241, PMCID: PMC11236985, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49996-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHypothalamic feeding centersHormone deficiencyHypothalamic arcuate nucleus neuronsArcuate nucleus neuronsThyroid hormone deficiencyFeeding centerEffects of ghrelinAnorexigenic effectNucleus neuronsPhysiological anorexiaThyroid hormonesNormal physiological functionsGround squirrelsInterbout arousalAnorexiaThirteen-lined ground squirrelsProlonged periodReduced sensitivityPhysiological functionsDeficiencyNeural control of fluid homeostasis is engaged below 10°C in hibernation
Junkins M, Feng N, Murphy L, Curtis G, Merriman D, Bagriantsev S, Gracheva E. Neural control of fluid homeostasis is engaged below 10°C in hibernation. Current Biology 2024, 34: 923-930.e5. PMID: 38325375, PMCID: PMC11232715, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.01.035.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressinSupraoptic nucleusFluid homeostasisC-Fos immunohistochemistryControl of fluid homeostasisHeart rateHypothalamic supraoptic nucleusReduced plasma levelsHormone arginine vasopressinPlasma hormone levelsSlow heart rateSON neuronsArginine vasopressinMassive fluid lossPlasma levelsPosterior pituitaryHormone levelsFiber photometryC-fosBlood pressureNeuronal activityHormonal responsesThirteen-lined ground squirrelsOxytocinInterbout arousal
2023
Ground squirrels – experts in thermoregulatory adaptation
Feketa V, Bagriantsev S, Gracheva E. Ground squirrels – experts in thermoregulatory adaptation. Trends In Neurosciences 2023, 46: 505-507. PMID: 37188617, DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.04.008.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus Statements
2020
CNGA3 acts as a cold sensor in hypothalamic neurons
Feketa VV, Nikolaev YA, Merriman DK, Bagriantsev SN, Gracheva EO. CNGA3 acts as a cold sensor in hypothalamic neurons. ELife 2020, 9: e55370. PMID: 32270761, PMCID: PMC7182431, DOI: 10.7554/elife.55370.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2019
Osmolyte Depletion and Thirst Suppression Allow Hibernators to Survive for Months without Water
Feng NY, Junkins MS, Merriman DK, Bagriantsev SN, Gracheva EO. Osmolyte Depletion and Thirst Suppression Allow Hibernators to Survive for Months without Water. Current Biology 2019, 29: 3053-3058.e3. PMID: 31495581, PMCID: PMC6759396, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.07.038.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA hydrophobic gate in the inner pore helix is the major determinant of inactivation in mechanosensitive Piezo channels
Zheng W, Gracheva EO, Bagriantsev SN. A hydrophobic gate in the inner pore helix is the major determinant of inactivation in mechanosensitive Piezo channels. ELife 2019, 8: e44003. PMID: 30628892, PMCID: PMC6349400, DOI: 10.7554/elife.44003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPiezo channelsLining inner helixIon channelsMechanosensitive Piezo channelsInner pore helixImportance of inactivationMouse Piezo1Disease-causing mutationsHydrophobic gateInner helixPore helixPhysiological processesMechanism of inactivationStimulation triggersInactivationInactivation gatePiezo1Normal functionHelixHydrophobic barrierFast inactivationPhysical constrictionSecondary gateRate of inactivationMajor determinant
2018
Somatosensory Neurons Enter a State of Altered Excitability during Hibernation
Hoffstaetter LJ, Mastrotto M, Merriman DK, Dib-Hajj SD, Waxman SG, Bagriantsev SN, Gracheva EO. Somatosensory Neurons Enter a State of Altered Excitability during Hibernation. Current Biology 2018, 28: 2998-3004.e3. PMID: 30174191, PMCID: PMC6173314, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.07.020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSomatosensory neuronsAction potentialsPeripheral somatosensory neuronsVoltage-gated sodium channelsTherapeutic hypothermiaAltered excitabilityFunctional deficitsCase of neuronsSensory functionFiring patternsNeuronsCold exposureInput resistanceSodium channelsRapid restorationBody temperatureHypometabolismHypothermiaDevelopment of strategiesSensory informationProlonged periodAdaptive responseArousalCNSExcitabilityTMEM150C/Tentonin3 Is a Regulator of Mechano-gated Ion Channels
Anderson EO, Schneider ER, Matson JD, Gracheva EO, Bagriantsev SN. TMEM150C/Tentonin3 Is a Regulator of Mechano-gated Ion Channels. Cell Reports 2018, 23: 701-708. PMID: 29669276, PMCID: PMC5929159, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.03.094.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2017
Molecular Prerequisites for Diminished Cold Sensitivity in Ground Squirrels and Hamsters
Matos-Cruz V, Schneider ER, Mastrotto M, Merriman DK, Bagriantsev SN, Gracheva EO. Molecular Prerequisites for Diminished Cold Sensitivity in Ground Squirrels and Hamsters. Cell Reports 2017, 21: 3329-3337. PMID: 29262313, PMCID: PMC5741102, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.11.083.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransmembrane domainCold toleranceCold sensitivityGround squirrelsRat orthologMolecular adaptationsMammalian hibernatorsReciprocal mutationsAmino acidsFunctional significanceOrthologsSquirrelsMolecular prerequisitesActive stateHibernatorsTRPM8Somatosensory neuronsTolerancePoor activationSpeciesDomainMutationsResiduesHibernationCellsMolecular basis of tactile specialization in the duck bill
Schneider ER, Anderson EO, Mastrotto M, Matson JD, Schulz VP, Gallagher PG, LaMotte RH, Gracheva EO, Bagriantsev SN. Molecular basis of tactile specialization in the duck bill. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2017, 114: 13036-13041. PMID: 29109250, PMCID: PMC5724259, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1708793114.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsAvian ProteinsBeakChickensCloning, MolecularDucksEmbryo, NonmammalianGene ExpressionGenetic VectorsHEK293 CellsHumansIon ChannelsKineticsMechanoreceptorsMechanotransduction, CellularMicePatch-Clamp TechniquesRecombinant ProteinsRNA, Small InterferingSequence Homology, Amino AcidSpecies SpecificityTouchTouch PerceptionTrigeminal GanglionConceptsMolecular basisHeterologous expression systemSpecialist birdsMouse orthologPiezo2 ion channelsTactile specializationExpression systemDuck billMolecular characterizationIon channelsFeeding behaviorEdible matterPiezo2BirdsElectrophysiological characterizationSlow inactivation kineticsOrthologsVertebratesMechanoMechanotransductionKnockdownInactivation kineticsMurky watersHigh densityNeuronsChapter Seven Piezo2 in Cutaneous and Proprioceptive Mechanotransduction in VertebratesaaThis work was supported by grants from National Science Foundation (1453167), National Institutes of Health (1R01NS097547-01A1) and American Heart Association (14SDG17880015) to S.N.B. E.R.S. was partially supported by a training grant from National Institutes of Health T32HD007094 and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. E.O.A. is a fellow of The Gruber Foundation and an Edward L. Tatum Fellow. Correspondence should be addressed to S.N.B (slav.bagriantsev@yale.edu).
Anderson E, Schneider E, Bagriantsev S. Chapter Seven Piezo2 in Cutaneous and Proprioceptive Mechanotransduction in VertebratesaaThis work was supported by grants from National Science Foundation (1453167), National Institutes of Health (1R01NS097547-01A1) and American Heart Association (14SDG17880015) to S.N.B. E.R.S. was partially supported by a training grant from National Institutes of Health T32HD007094 and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. E.O.A. is a fellow of The Gruber Foundation and an Edward L. Tatum Fellow. Correspondence should be addressed to S.N.B (slav.bagriantsev@yale.edu). Current Topics In Membranes 2017, 79: 197-217. PMID: 28728817, PMCID: PMC5630267, DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctm.2016.11.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPiezo familyMolecular identityPhysiological capacityIon channelsNeuronal cellsVertebratesPiezo2American Heart AssociationNational InstituteMechanosensitivityHeart AssociationMuscle stretchNumber of processesMechanotransducersMechanosensationPivotal milestoneMechanotransductionFliesTraining grantsBacteria
2016
Low-cost functional plasticity of TRPV1 supports heat tolerance in squirrels and camels
Laursen WJ, Schneider ER, Merriman DK, Bagriantsev SN, Gracheva EO. Low-cost functional plasticity of TRPV1 supports heat tolerance in squirrels and camels. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2016, 113: 11342-11347. PMID: 27638213, PMCID: PMC5056056, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1604269113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAfferent PathwaysAmino Acid SequenceAmino Acid SubstitutionAnimalsAnkyrin RepeatCamelusCapsaicinConserved SequenceGanglia, SpinalHEK293 CellsHot TemperatureHumansHydrogen-Ion ConcentrationIon Channel GatingMutationNeuronsSciuridaeSequence AlignmentThermotoleranceTRPV Cation ChannelsXenopusConceptsHeat toleranceCommon molecular strategyN-terminal ankyrinSingle amino acid changeSingle amino acid substitutionGround squirrelsPolymodal ion channelAmino acid changesAmino acid substitutionsRemarkable functional flexibilityFunctional conservationEcological nichesChemical cuesMammalian speciesMolecular strategiesAcid changesAcid substitutionsHeat sensitivityTransient receptor potential vanilloid 1Ion channelsOrthologsFunctional plasticitySquirrelsBactrian camelsSuch adaptation
2015
Neuronal UCP1 expression suggests a mechanism for local thermogenesis during hibernation
Laursen WJ, Mastrotto M, Pesta D, Funk OH, Goodman JB, Merriman DK, Ingolia N, Shulman GI, Bagriantsev SN, Gracheva EO. Neuronal UCP1 expression suggests a mechanism for local thermogenesis during hibernation. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2015, 112: 1607-1612. PMID: 25605929, PMCID: PMC4321293, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1421419112.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSummer active stateNervous tissue functionPalmitate-induced uncouplingDifferential transcriptomicsMolecular mechanismsHibernating mammalsBrown adipose tissueBody temperatureProtein 1Ground squirrelsBiochemical analysisTorpid squirrelsHibernation seasonTissue functionActive stateUCP1 expressionHigh expressionHibernationPharmacologic analysisThermogenic proteinsAdipose tissueBrain temperatureLow body temperatureNervous systemPhysiologic phenotype
2014
Neuronal mechanism for acute mechanosensitivity in tactile-foraging waterfowl
Schneider ER, Mastrotto M, Laursen WJ, Schulz VP, Goodman JB, Funk OH, Gallagher PG, Gracheva EO, Bagriantsev SN. Neuronal mechanism for acute mechanosensitivity in tactile-foraging waterfowl. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2014, 111: 14941-14946. PMID: 25246547, PMCID: PMC4205607, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1413656111.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTrigeminal ganglionIon channel Piezo2Light mechanical stimuliMechanoreceptive neuronsTG neuronsPrimary afferentsMechanical stimuliTrigeminal afferentsNeuronal excitationEnd organsNeuronal mechanismsDirect mechanical stimulationCellular mechanismsMechanical stimulationAfferentsNeuronsLow thresholdNumerical expansionGangliaStimuli