Neurobiology and Neuropharmacology of Ionic Canals

University researchers : Dr Valérie Altemayer (associate), Dr Daniel Auguin, Dr Emiliane Taillebois, Pr Steeve Thany, Pr Jean-Claude Vala (émérite)

Engineers & technicians : Dr Alison Cartereau, Carine Martin

PhD students : Khalid Boussaine, Ning Caina, Sara Kaaki, Maria Taha
 
The Neurobiology and Neuropharmacology of Ion Channels team has extensive experience in the study of insect and mammalian channel receptors, particularly nicotinic-type acetylcholine receptors. These receptors are involved in many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In insects, they are the main target of neonicotinoid insecticides and their numerous derivatives, sulfoximines and butenolides. This team is interested in the functional and pharmacological properties of these receptors using different approaches such as electrophysiology, site-directed mutagenesis, and toxicology to understand the structure of these receptors, their intracellular regulation mechanism and their involvement in memory processes. and learning.
Another aspect of the team is to understand the mechanisms of resistance of arthropods (insects and mites) to molecules used as insecticides, acaricides and repellents, with the aim of identifying more effective and more selective compounds.
 

Alumni

• Jean-Noël Houchat (Post-doc in Argentina)
• Anaïs Le Mauff (Post-doc at University of Florida, Emerging Pathogens Institute, Daniel Swale lab)
• Priscilla Martin (University of Orléans)

 
Research network

• Axone Group (Axe orléanais des neurosciences)
• Research network in Centre-Val de Loire : FERI, MIDI, MOTIVHEALTH, ENTOMOCENTRE
• SFR Neuro (Poitiers, Tours, Orléans)

 
Funding institutions
ANR ; ANSES ; DGA ; Région Centre - Val de Loire

Projects & fundings

• EVALSUB, ANSES
• REPInSEB, Région Centre-Val de Loire
• ESSENTIEL, Région Centre-Val de Loire
• ELECTRO-CELL, Région Centre-Val de Loire
• SCREENROBOT, Région Centre-Val de Loire
• XENOBIOTICK, ANR
• AXOTICK, ANR
• REPUL-TIQUE, ANR

 
Team ressources

• Technological plateforme: Canaux-Cell 
• Clones: Full-length cockroach and aphid nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are available upon request
• Acces to our equipments: If you wish to use our equipments for a collaborative project or a service offer, you may contact us

 
 
Newest publications

1. Impairments in learning and memory performances associated with nicotinic receptor expression in the honeybee Apis mellifera after exposure to a sublethal dose of sulfoxaflor. Cartereau A, Pineau X, Lebreton J, Mathé-Allainmat M, Taillebois E, Thany SH. PLoS One. 2022 Aug 3;17(8):e0272514. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272514. eCollection 2022.
2. Binding properties to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors can explain differential toxicity of neonicotinoid insecticides in Chironomidae. Maloney EM, Taillebois E, Gilles N, Morrissey CA, Liber K, Servent D, Thany SH. Aquat Toxicol. 2021 Jan;230:105701. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105701. Epub 2020 Nov 23.
3. Neonicotinoid insecticides differently modulate acetycholine-induced currents on mammalian α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Cartereau A, Martin C, Thany SH. Br J Pharmacol. 2018 Jun;175(11):1987-1998. doi: 10.1111/bph.14018. Epub 2017 Oct 6.