Elena Gracheva, PhD
Research & Publications
Biography
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Extensive Research Description
My lab is interested in somatosensation and thermoregulation, particularly molecular and evolutionary mechanisms whereby the somatosensory and thermoregulatory systems adapt to the environmental and behavioral needs of an organism. We intend:
(i) To understand, which molecules mediate different types of sensation undernormal and extreme physiological conditions using mammalian hibernation as a naturally reversible model.
(ii) To dissect mechanism(s) of thermoregulation and thermogenesis using hibernators in their active and torpor physiological states.
Mammalian hibernation is fascinating as it is characterized by prolonged alternating periods of hypothermia (core body temperature drops from 37°C to 2-10°C) in association with unusual resistance of tissues to cold. Despite the robustness of these phenomena, fundamental questions remain about their cellular basis. Mammalian hibernators (thirteen-lined ground squirrels and Syrian hamsters) provide unique natural system for understanding thermotransduction machinery. Moreover, comparisons between phylogenetically related species of hibernators and non-hibernators will provide insights into anatomical, physiological, and genetic factors that support this unique thermo-adaptive process. Due to the complexity and dynamic nature of thesomatosensory and thermoregulatory systems, we are taking an integrated approach using biochemistry, bioinformatics, live-cell imaging, electrophysiology, genomics, behavioral paradigms, and additional cellular and molecular biological techniques to approach these fascinating questions of both physiological and clinical significance.
Mechanisms gleaned from this study could have profound outcomes for human health in regard to:
(i) Inducible and reversible hypothermia.
(ii) Cold tolerance and hypersensitivity.
(iii) Tissue transplantation.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Physiology, Comparative
Public Health Interests
Environmental Health; Evolution
Selected Publications
- 3D architecture and a bicellular mechanism of touch detection in mechanosensory corpuscleNikolaev 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.
- Ground squirrels – experts in thermoregulatory adaptationFeketa 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.
- Human TRPV1 structure and inhibition by the analgesic SB-366791Neuberger A, Oda M, Nikolaev Y, Nadezhdin K, Gracheva E, Bagriantsev S, Sobolevsky A. Human TRPV1 structure and inhibition by the analgesic SB-366791. Nature Communications 2023, 14: 2451. PMID: 37117175, PMCID: PMC10147690, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38162-9.
- Mechanotransduction events at the physiological site of touch detectionZiolkowski 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.
- CNGA3 acts as a cold sensor in hypothalamic neuronsFeketa 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.
- Piezo2 Integrates Mechanical and Thermal Cues in Vertebrate MechanoreceptorsNikolaev Y, Zheng W, Gracheva E, Bagriantsev S. Piezo2 Integrates Mechanical and Thermal Cues in Vertebrate Mechanoreceptors. Biophysical Journal 2020, 118: 396a. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.11.2254.
- Osmolyte Depletion and Thirst Suppression Allow Hibernators to Survive for Months without WaterFeng 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.
- Somatosensory Neurons Enter a State of Altered Excitability during HibernationHoffstaetter 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.
- Molecular Prerequisites for Diminished Cold Sensitivity in Ground Squirrels and HamstersMatos-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.
- Low-cost functional plasticity of TRPV1 supports heat tolerance in squirrels and camelsLaursen 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.
- Stretch-Gated Ion Channels in Neuronal MechanoreceptorsBagriantsev S, Schneider E, Anderson E, Matson J, Gracheva E. Stretch-Gated Ion Channels in Neuronal Mechanoreceptors. Biophysical Journal 2016, 110: 349a. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2015.11.1876.
- Probing the Contribution of Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 to Cold Tolerance in HibernatorsHoffstaetter L, Tonsfeldt K, Matos-Cruz V, Bagriantsev S, Gracheva E. Probing the Contribution of Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 to Cold Tolerance in Hibernators. Biophysical Journal 2016, 110: 318a. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2015.11.1710.
- Investigating the Role of Nav1.5 in Somatosensory MechanosensationAnderson E, Schneider E, Matson J, Gracheva E, Bagriantsev S. Investigating the Role of Nav1.5 in Somatosensory Mechanosensation. Biophysical Journal 2016, 110: 91a. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2015.11.552.
- Neuronal UCP1 expression suggests a mechanism for local thermogenesis during hibernationLaursen 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.
- Sensing Force by Trigeminal Neurons of Acutely Mechanosensitive BirdsSchneider E, Mastrotto M, Laursen W, Schulz V, Goodman J, Funk O, Gallagher P, Gracheva E, Bagriantsev S. Sensing Force by Trigeminal Neurons of Acutely Mechanosensitive Birds. Biophysical Journal 2015, 108: 562a. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.11.3080.
- Molecular Adaptations to Extreme Thermogenesis in Mammalian HibernatorsLaursen W, Funk O, Goodman J, Merriman D, Ingolia N, Bagriantsev S, Gracheva E. Molecular Adaptations to Extreme Thermogenesis in Mammalian Hibernators. Biophysical Journal 2014, 106: 337a. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2013.11.1931.
- Cytoplasmic Ankyrin Repeats of Transient Receptor Potential A1 (TRPA1) Dictate Sensitivity to Thermal and Chemical StimuliCordero-Morales J, Gracheva E, Julius D. Cytoplasmic Ankyrin Repeats of Transient Receptor Potential A1 (TRPA1) Dictate Sensitivity to Thermal and Chemical Stimuli. Biophysical Journal 2012, 102: 23a. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2011.11.151.
- Ganglion-Specific Splicing of TRPV1 Underlies Infrared Sensation in Vampire BatsGracheva E, Cordero-Morales J, González-Carcacóa J, Ingolia N, Manno M, Aranguren C, Weissman J, Julius D. Ganglion-Specific Splicing of TRPV1 Underlies Infrared Sensation in Vampire Bats. Biophysical Journal 2012, 102: 24a. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2011.11.157.
- Ganglion-specific splicing of TRPV1 underlies infrared sensation in vampire batsGracheva EO, Cordero-Morales JF, González-Carcacía JA, Ingolia NT, Manno C, Aranguren CI, Weissman JS, Julius D. Ganglion-specific splicing of TRPV1 underlies infrared sensation in vampire bats. Nature 2011, 476: 88-91. PMID: 21814281, PMCID: PMC3535012, DOI: 10.1038/nature10245.
- Molecular basis of infrared detection by snakesGracheva EO, Ingolia NT, Kelly YM, Cordero-Morales JF, Hollopeter G, Chesler AT, Sánchez EE, Perez JC, Weissman JS, Julius D. Molecular basis of infrared detection by snakes. Nature 2010, 464: 1006-1011. PMID: 20228791, PMCID: PMC2855400, DOI: 10.1038/nature08943.
- Activation of p38 MAP-Kinase and Caldesmon Phosphorylation Are Essential for Urokinase-Induced Human Smooth Muscle Cell MigrationGoncharova E, Vorotnikov A, Gracheva E, Wang C, Panettieri R, Stepanova V, Tkachuk V. Activation of p38 MAP-Kinase and Caldesmon Phosphorylation Are Essential for Urokinase-Induced Human Smooth Muscle Cell Migration. Biological Chemistry 2002, 383: 115-126. PMID: 11930938, DOI: 10.1515/bc.2002.012.