Molecular Neurophysiology Section - Division of Intramural Research

Miguel  Holmgren, Ph.D., Senior Investigator

Dr. Holmgren received his B.S in 1985 from Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Ciudad de Mexico. In 1994 he received his Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from Finch University of Health Sciences within the Chicago Medical School, working on the sodium/potassium ATPase with Robert Rakowski. Dr. Holmgren went on to do postdoctoral training with Gary Yellen at Harvard Medical School where he studied the gating mechanisms of voltage-activated potassium channels. He joined the NINDS as an Investigator in 2001. Dr. Holmgren's laboratory is exploring the structure and biophysics of various ion channels and transporters.

Laboratory Staff

Angelica Lopez,  Ph.D.,  Visiting Fellow,  301 451 6258
Deepa Srikumar,  M.Sc,  Research Assistant,  301 451 6258
Gaurav Venkataraman,  B.S.,  Postbaccalaureate IRTA,  301 451 6258

Research Interests

Neurons contain a variety of membrane proteins responsible for the continuous traffic of ions and molecules across the cell membrane. Our main goal is to understand how ions are transported through some of these proteins. We are presently interested in ion channels and the sodium/potassium ATPase; the former moving ions at rates near diffusion, while the latter at rates of about 100 per sec. For both types of proteins, we are asking similar questions. How do ions access their pathway? Which regions of the proteins form the permeation pathways that allow ions to move across the membrane? How does the protein regulate the traffic of ions? What are the interactions of molecules like blockers and toxins with these proteins? We attempt to answer these types of questions by combining molecular biology, chemical modification and electrophysiological techniques.

Recently, we have become increasingly interested in understanding how RNA editing alters the function of membrane proteins. RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification believed to be a major mechanism in acclimatization and/or adaptation. An enzyme converts adenosine into inosine, which is interpreted as guanosine by the cellular machinery. This conversion provides a vast mutagenic repertoire by which critical positions in a protein can be altered. Although, a growing number of mRNA substrates have been shown to be edited, very little is known about the functional consequences of these modifications. We are taking advantage of the apparent high levels of editing in squid to examine RNA editing in a variety of membrane proteins including ion channels and transporters. Studying the regulation of membrane proteins by RNA editing will reveal how nature functionally tunes these proteins, and guide our questions on the structure and function of these important cellular machines.

Selected Recent Publications

Castillo J.P., De Giorgis D., Basilio, D., Gadsby, D.C., Rosenthal, J.J., Latorre, R., Holmgren, M., Bezanilla,
Energy landscape of the reactions governing the Na+ deeply occluded state of the Na+/K+-ATPase in the axon of the Humboldt squid.  - Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA   108 20556-20561 2011,  Full Text/Abstract

Gonzalez, C., Lopez-Rodriguez, A., Srikumar, D., Rosenthal, J.J.C. and Holmgren, M.
Editing of human KV1.1 channel mRNAs disrupts binding of the N-terminus tip at the intracellular cavity. - Nat. Commun.   2 436 doi: 10.1038 2011,  Full Text/Abstract

Galarza, G. Soto, S.I., Holmgren M. and Rosenthal, J.J.C
Physiological Adaptation of an Antarctic Na+/K+-ATPase to the cold. - J. Exp. Biol.  214 2164-2174 2011,  Full Text/Abstract

Sandtner, W., Egwolf, B., Khalili-Araghi, F., Sanchez-Rodriguez, J.E., Roux, B., Bezanilla, F. and Holmgren, M.
Ouabain binding site in a functioning Na+/K+-ATPase.  - J. Biol. Chem.   286 38177-38183. 2011,  Full Text/Abstract

Colina, C., Palavicini, J.P., Srikumar, D., Holmgren, M. and Rosenthal, J.J.C
Regulation of Na+/K+ ATPase transport velocity by RNA editing. - PLoS Biol.   8 e1000540 2010,  Full Text/Abstract

Contreras, J.E., Chen, J., Lau, A.Y., Jogini, V., Roux, B. and Holmgren, M
Voltage profile along the permeation pathway of an open channel. - Biophys. J.  99 2863-2869 2010,  Full Text/Abstract

Contreras, J.E. Srikumar, D. and Holmgren, M.
Gating at the selectivity filter in cyclic nucleotide-gated channels - PNAS  105 3310-3314 2008,  Full Text/Abstract

Selected Earlier Publications

Contact Information

Molecular Neurophysiology Section, NINDS Porter Neuroscience Research Center  Building 35 Room 3B-1016  35 Convent Drive, MSC 3701 Bethesda MD  20892-3701

Telephone: 301-451- 6259 (office), 301- 451-6258 (laboratory), 301-496- 4268 (fax), Email: holmgren@ninds.nih.gov