Nemecz Lab Homepage

Research Overview

The laboratory is part of the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Nicolas Copernicus in Torun, Poland. We focus on studying the molecular mechanisms involving pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC) function and regulation. The pLGIC family, in mammals, comprises excitatory: nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), serotonin type 3 receptors (5-HT₃Rs), and zinc-activated ion channels; and inhibitory: γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABA_ARs) and glycine receptors (GlyRs). The pLGIC family relays the chemical-to-electrical signaling transduction of neurons. Binding of released synaptic neurotransmitters stabilizes the opening of an intrinsic channel passively conducting ions across the membrane, which thereby triggers cell depolarization or hyperpolarization. As they are ubiquitously expressed in virtually all neurons, pLGICs contribute to all major central nervous system functions; including: sensory and motor processing, central autonomous control, memory and attention, sleep and wakefulness, reward, pain, anxiety, emotions, and cognition. Drug addiction, specifically smoking, and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease have long been linked to the cholinergic system, specifically nAChRs. Unfortunately, the many years of pharmacological study have not yielded robust therapies for the maledictions caused by a dysfunction of nAChRs which beset individuals. And so, by employing many facets of biochemical techniques, from molecular biology, protein biochemistry, electrophysiology, immunofluorescence, and pharmacology, our goal is to gleam information about the intracellular domain and thus the regulation/trafficking of these receptors. Targeting their regulatory proteins may combat neurodegenerative disorders better than targeting the receptors themselves.

Team Members

We are always looking for motivated individuals interested in our research. If you feel you are qualified do not hesitate to contact us.

To contact any current member simply click on their image.

adiunkt

Dr. Ákos Nemecz

adiunkt

dr Dorota Nemecz

Lab Mascot/Guardian

Onyx

Postdoctoral Scholars

Doctoral Students

Academia Copernicana
Interdisciplinary Doctoral School

Zainab Kazim

Academia Copernicana
Interdisciplinary Doctoral School

Weronika Nowak

Master's Students

Biotechnology

Katarzyna Świstowska

Biotechnology

Zuzanna Szutkowska

Biotechnology

Kamila Grygiel

Biotechnology

Marcelina Mikołajczyk

Biotechnology

Magda Tylenda

Biotechnology

Kuba Wolinski

Bachelor Students

Former Members

Bachelor Students

Agata
Wikarska

Bachelor Students

Kacper
Roszak

Bachelor Students

Jakub
Lewandowski

Projects

Combating addiction by targeting α3β4*-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
OPUS21-2021/41/B/NZ7/03101

According to the World Health Organization tobacco use kills more than 7 million people every year and costs an estimate of US1.4 trillion in global economic burden resulting from loss of productivity and healthcare costs. Smoking addiction has long been linked to the cholinergic system, specifically nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, through the principal addictive component in cigarettes: nicotine. These receptors bind a chemical signal (neurotransmitters) and convert it to an electrical signal (ion conductance). They belong to a class of ligand-gated ion channels composed of five individual similar or sometimes identical protein subunits that form an ion channel, otherwise known as pentameric ligand-gated ion channels. This family of receptors is involved in all major functions of the central nervous system. Numerous years of pharmacological and therapeutic research targeting the neurotransmitter and modulatory binding sites of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors has not yet produced any robust anti-addiction therapies. Recent genomic studies have identified a specific gene cluster and therefore the α3-, β4-, α5-subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor family which are correlated to smoking addiction. An inhibition of this assembly of nicotinic receptor subunits has been shown to reduce the reward effect caused by drug interactions in the brain, and thereby attenuate nicotine as well as other drug addictions.
This project expressly aims to synthetically generate and isolate selective single-domain antibodies which act as inhibitory modulators of α3-β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits. These small versatile antibodies are derived from camelids such as llamas, alpacas, camels, and dromedaries. Very recently it has been possible to create synthetic libraries of single-domain antibodies and thereby avoid the use of camelids to generate them. These synthetically generated and selective nanobodies will also be used as tools to properly localize various α3β4 receptor assemblies in the brain, thereby better understanding the role of they play in the brain’s reward pathway.
Understanding the role nicotinic acetylcholine receptors play in addiction is an important aspect to developing efficient therapeutics. This proposal attempts to develop therapeutics to help alleviate the drug dependence of smoking and other drug addictions, thereby reducing the economic burden that cancer and other addiction-related diseases have on the healthcare system. The use of single-domain antibodies as tools to study receptor localization will also elaborate upon the current understanding of the addiction/reward pathway in the brain.

Past Projects

Investigation into the mechanism of regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
POLS-2020/37/K/NZ3/04098

Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease, in addition to drug addiction have long been linked to the cholinergic system, and specifically nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These receptors bind a chemical signal (neurotransmitters) and convert it to an electrical signal (ion conductance). They belong to a class of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels composed of five individual similar or sometimes identical protein subunits that form an ion channel. They have a conserved general structure which includes three domains. The extracellular domain, the protein region located outside of the cell, contains the neurotransmitter binding site. The transmembrane domain forms the ion channel pore that selectively allows ions to flow along their concentration gradient. The intracellular domain, the protein region inside of the cell, is thought to be primarily involved in the regulation and trafficking of the receptor. This family of receptors is involved in all major functions of the central nervous system. An enhanced understanding of the mechanisms for functional modulation, in addition to the structural determination of the neurotransmitter binding site, resulted in many pharmacological advances. Yet the numerous years of research have not produced any robust therapies for the maledictions caused by a dysfunction of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
This project expressly aims to study the mechanism(s) of functional regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors through their intracellular domain, for which very little is known. Targeting the regulatory system of these receptors may form the basis for developing new therapeutics against neurological disorders.
Within the project a protein composed of an intracellular domain of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors linked to a soluble homologous protein will be created. Using this soluble linked-protein as a tool to identify proteins which interact with the intracellular domain, this project will determine novel targets for current pharmaceutical therapeutic objectives. These newly discovered targets will generate more successful remedies for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia.
Additionally this project will study the mechanisms of action of the identified regulatory proteins. The subtype selective regulation may be identified by studying the role that the various subunit compositions of the receptor, otherwise known as stoichiometry, play in regulatory protein binding. Understanding the intricate mechanism of receptor regulation is important to combat neurodegenerative diseases. Through the development of small single-domain antibodies, nanobodies, against specific receptor stoichiometries this project will answer questions about regulatory differences and develop an understanding of regulatory mechanisms. These same nanobodies will also be used in the future projects as tools to properly localize given stoichiometries in the brain, creating a translational bridge between the biochemical mechanisms of regulation to the neurobiological system composition.
Understanding the mechanisms of regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, an aspect that has thus far remained elusive, is the key to developing efficient therapeutics for neurological disorders. This proposal attempts to develop such an understanding in the hope that a more effective forthcoming pharmaceutical approach may arise as a result.

Lab Anouncements

2024-10-01: Weronika Nowak begins her doctoral studies with Academia Copernicana
2024-07-21: We welcome our new and first doctoral student: Zainab Kazim!
The Nemecz Lab has an open Post-doctoral Fellowship position:
Post-Doctoral Position Announcement within NCN OPUS-21 Project
Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu/Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń

Start Date: As soon as possible
Funding: 10,000 PLN/month (gross/gross: employer taxes, pension, health insurance and income taxes are deducted from this amount ≈7608 PLN/month [gross: personal income tax and social security deducted from this amount] with 13th month)
Duration: 24month initial contract with possibility to extend an additional year.

Candidatures will be evaluated on a rolling basis, until the position is filled.

Project Description: Generation and characterization of synthetic single domain VHH antibodies against nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes. Localization of these subtypes in the brain tissue samples. Under the supervision of the project leader: Dr. Ákos Nemecz. More information about the lab and projects may be found at: nemeczlab.umk.pl

Requirements:
- Ph.D. in biochemistry, pharmacology, biology, or related field.
  (PhD degree must be awarded by another institution than UMK w Toruniu or a continuous post-doctoral fellowship of at least 10 months has been completed, in another country than Poland, prior to hire);
- Ability to work independently on a scientific project including: planning, completing, analyzing experiments as well as the ability to properly present the results;
- Fluent in written and spoken English.
Strongly preferred:
- Experience in protein purification techniques and immunostaining
- Good communication and team working skills
Please send the following application materials to Dr. Ákos Nemecz:
- A cover/motivation letter
- CV, including list of publications/abstracts
- A list of contact information (name, email, position/institution) for three references included in either the CV or cover letter
- A signed GDPR statement: Found here
2023-02-20: dr Dorota Nemecz will present her abstract at the Biophysical Society Annual Meeting in San Diego. Come check us out @13:45 Exhibit Hall BC Poster#:LB75.
2022-10-27: Departmental Seminar by Dr. Ákos Nemecz @10am Room C226
The Nemecz Lab won one of four positions in the 2022 Emerging Fields competition as part of the collaborative group: Cells as EXperimental platforms and bioFACTories (CExFact) headed by dr hab. Krzysztof Zienkiewicz. Read about it here (in Polish)
2022-06-10: As part of the POWER project “Universitas Copernicana Thoruniensis in Futuro - modernization of the Nicolaus Copernicus University as part of the Integrated University Program” Dr. Pierre-Jean Corringer from the Pasteur Institute will give a lecture: “Illuminating the gating transition of pentameric channel-receptors”
On June 10th, 2022, at 11:00 in the Darwin Lecture Hall Flyer

Archived news

Publications

All Publications
Highlighted Publications
Dr. Ákos Nemecz
dr Dorota Nemecz
All Publications

*Equal Contribution, ^§Corresponding Author

2024

Nemecz D.^§, Nowak W.A., Nemecz Á.^§ “VHH nanobody versatility against pentameric ligand-gated ion channels.” J Med Chem (2024-06-13); 67(11):8502-8518. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c002316
Van Renterghem C.^§, Nemecz Á., Medjebeur K., Corringer P-J.^§ “Short-chain mono-carboxylates as negative modulators of allosteric transitions in Gloeobacter violaceus ligand-gated ion channel, and impact of a pre-β5 strand (Loop Ω) double mutation on crotonate, not butyrate effect.” Physiol Rep (2024-02-11); 12(3):e15916. DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15916

2023

Van Renterghem C.^§, Nemecz Á., Delarue-Cochin S., Joseph D., Corringer P-J.^§ “Fumarate as positive modulator of allosteric transitions in the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel GLIC: Requirement of an intact vestibular pocket.” J Physiol (2023-06); 601(12):2447-2472. DOI: 10.1113/JP283765. Epub 2023-04-27
Li Q., Nemecz Á.^§, Aymé G.^§, Dejean de la Bâtie G., Prevost M.S., Pons S., Barilone N., Baachaoui R., Maskos U., Lafaye P., Corringer P-J.^§ “Generation of nanobodies acting as silent and positive allosteric modulators of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.” Cell Mol Life Sci (2023-05-25); 80(6):164. DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04779-8

2022

Nemecz D.^§, Golińska P. “Antibacterial Properties of Crotoxin from Crotalus durissus terrificus-Insight into the Mechanism of Action.” Molecules (2022-11-10); 27(22):7726. DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227726

2020

Nemecz D.*, Ostrowski M.*, Ravatin M., Saul F., Faure G.^§ “Crystal Structure of Isoform CBd of the Basic Phospholipase A2 Subunit of Crotoxin: Description of the Structural Framework of CB for Interaction with Protein Targets.” Molecules (2020-11-13); 25(22):5290. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225290

2018

Hu H.*, Nemecz Á.*, Fourati Z., Van Renterghem C., Sauguet L., Corringer P-J., Delarue M.^§ “The active form of a new bacterial pentameric ligand-gated ion channel displays a widely open pore and is stabilized by an allosteric activator.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (2018-04-24); 115(17):E3959-E3968. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1717700115
Bajek A., Olkowska J., Walentowicz-Sadłecka M., Sadłecki P., Grabiec M., Porowińska D., Drewa T., Roszkowski K.^§ “Human Adipose-Derived and Amniotic Fluid-Derived Stem Cells: A Preliminary In Vitro Study Comparing Myogenic Differentiation Capability.” Med Sci Monit. (2018-03-24); 24:1733-1741. DOI: 10.12659/msm.905826

2017

Nemecz Á., Hu H., Fourati Z., Van Renterghem C., Delarue M., Corringer P-J.^§ “Full mutational mapping of titratable residues helps to identify proton-sensors involved in the control of channel gating in the Gloeobacter violaceus pentameric ligand-gated ion channel.” PLoS Biol (2017-12-27); 15(12):e2004470. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2004470
Maj M.*^§, Bajek A.*, Nalejska E., Porowińska D., Kloskowski T., Gackowska L., Drewa T. “Influence of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Conditioned Media on Proliferation of Urinary Tract Cancer Cell Lines and Their Sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin.” J Cell Biochem. (2017-06); 118(6):1361-1368. DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25794. Epub 2016-11-30.
Wujak M., Hetmann A., Porowińska D., Roszek K.^§ “Gene Expression and Activity Profiling Reveal a Significant Contribution of Exo-Phosphotransferases to the Extracellular Nucleotides Metabolism in HUVEC Endothelial Cells.” J Cell Biochem. (2017-06); 118(6):1341-1348. DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25791. Epub 2017-01-03.
Czarnecka J., Porowińska D., Bajek A., Hołysz M., Roszek K.^§ “Neurogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induces Alterations in Extracellular Nucleotides Metabolism.” J Cell Biochem. (2017-03); 118(3):478-486. DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25664. Epub 2016-08-25.
Bajek A.^§, Olkowska J., Walentowicz-Sadłecka M., Walentowicz P., Sadłecki P., Grabiec M., Bodnar M., Marszałek A., Dębski R., Porowińska D., Czarnecka J., Kaźmierski Ł., Drewa T. “High Quality Independent From a Donor: Human Amniotic Fluid Derived Stem Cells-A Practical Analysis Based on 165 Clinical Cases.” J Cell Biochem. (2017-01); 118(1):116-126. DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25618. Epub 2016-06-28.
Roszek K.^§, Makowska N., Czarnecka J., Porowińska D., Dąbrowski M., Danielewska J., Nowak W. “Canine Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: Purinergic Characterization and Neurogenic Potential for Therapeutic Applications.” J Cell Biochem. (2017-01); 118(1):58-65. DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25610. Epub 2016-06-03.

2016

Ostrowski M.^§, Mierek-Adamska A., Porowińska D., Goc A., Jakubowska A. “Cloning and biochemical characterization of indole-3-acetic acid-amino acid synthetase PsGH3 from pea.” Plant Physiol Biochem. (2016-10); 107:9-20. DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2016.05.031. Epub 2016-05-20.
Ostrowski M., Porowińska D., Prochnicki T., Prevost M., Raynal B., Baron B., Sauguet L., Corringer P-J., Faure G.^§ “Neurotoxic phospholipase A2 from rattlesnake as a new ligand and new regulator of prokaryotic receptor GLIC (proton-gated ion channel from G. violaceus).” Toxicon (2016-06-15); 116:63-71. DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.02.002. Epub 2016-02-05.
Nemecz Á.*, Prevost, M.S.*, Menny A.*, Corringer P-J.^§ “Emerging Molecular Mechanisms of Signal Transduction in Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels.” Neuron (2016-05-04); 90(3):452-70. Review. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.03.032

2015

Roszek K.^§, Porowińska D., Bajek A., Hołysz M., Czarnecka J. “Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Results in Substantial Changes of Ecto-Nucleotides Metabolism.” J Cell Biochem. (2015-12); 116(12):2915-23. DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25239
Bajek A.*^§, Porowińska D.*, Kloskowski T., Brzoska E., Ciemerych MA., Drewa T. “Cell therapy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment: clinical trials overview.” Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr. (2015); 25(1):1-11. DOI: 10.1615/critreveukaryotgeneexpr.2015011074

2014

Stadnicka K., Marszałek A., Kozłowska I., Walasik K., Bodnar M., Bajek A., Porowińska D., Drewa T., Bednarczyk M. “The expression of p63 and Ck HMW in magnum and infundibulum of Gallus domesticus oviduct.” Folia Biol (Krakow) (2014); 62(3):179-85. DOI: 10.3409/fb62_3.179
Sauguet L.*, Shahsavar A.*, Poitevin F.*, Huon C., Menny A., Nemecz Á., Haouz A., Changeux J-P, Corringer P-J, Delarue M.^§ “Crystal structures of a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel provide a mechanism for activation.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (2014-01-21); 111(3):966-71. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1314997111

2013

Uzarska M.^§, Porowińska D., Bajek A., Drewa T. “[Epidermal stem cells--biology and potential applications in regenerative medicine].” Postepy Biochem. (2013); 59(2):219-27.
Wujak M., Banach M., Porowińska D., Piskulak K., Komoszyński M.^§ “Isolation and bioinformatic analysis of seven genes encoding potato apyrase. Bacterial overexpresssion, refolding and initial kinetic studies on some recombinant potato apyrases.” Phytochemistry (2013-09); 93:8-17. DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2013.03.014. Epub 2013-05-09.
Porowińska D.^§, Wujak M., Roszek K., Komoszyński M. “[Prokaryotic expression systems].” Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online) (2013-03-01); 67:119-29. DOI: 10.5604/17322693.1038351

2012

Yamauchi J.G., Gomez K., Grimster N.P., Dufoil M., Nemecz Á., Fotsing J.R, Ho K-Y., Talley T.T., Sharpless K.B., Fokin V.V, Taylor P.^§ “Synthesizing selective agonists for the α7 nicotinic receptor with in situ click-chemistry on acetylcholine binding protein templates.” Mol. Pharmacol. (2012-10); 82(4):687-99. DOI: 10.1124/mol.112.080291
Rojsanga P., Boonyarat C., Utsintong M., Nemecz Á., Yamauchi J.G., Talley T.T., Olson A.J., Matsumoto K., Vajragupta O.^§ “The effect of crebanine on memory and cognition impairment via the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.” Life Sci. (2012-08-21); 91(3-4):107-14. DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2012.06.017
Porowińska D., Marszałek E., Wardęcka P., Komoszyński M.^§ “[In vitro renaturation of proteins from inclusion bodies].” Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online) (2012-06-11); 66:322-9. DOI: 10.5604/17322693.999918
Grimster N.P., Stump B., Fotsing J.R., Weide T., Talley T.T., Yamauchi J.G., Nemecz Á., Kim C., Ho K-Y., Sharpless K.B., Taylor P., Fokin, V.V.^§ “Generation of candidate ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors via in situ click chemistry with a soluble acetylcholine binding protein template.” J Am Chem Soc (2012-04-18); 134(15):6732-40. DOI: 10.1021/ja3001858

2011

Nemecz Á., Taylor P.^§ “Creating an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine recognition domain from the acetylcholine binding protein: crystallographic and ligand selectivity analysis.” J Biol Chem (2011-12-09); 286(49):42555-65. DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M111.286583
Yamauchi J.G., Nemecz Á., Nguyen Q.T., Muller A., Schroeder L.F., Talley T.T., Lindstrom J., Kleinfeld D., Taylor P.^§ “Characterizing ligand-gated ion channel receptors with genetically encoded Ca2++ sensors.” PLoS One (2011); 6(1):e16519. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016519
Porowińska D., Czarnecka J., Komoszyński M.^§ “[The role of ectonucleotides metabolizing enzymes in purinergic signaling].” Postepy Biochem. (2011); 57(3):294-303.

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Research Overview