Synaptic Neuromodulation

External website

Lines of investigation

After the intensive refinement process that occurs during the developmental stages, the mature brain retains the ability of undergoing rapid adaptations in response to external stimuli by the means of a cellular phenomenon known as synaptic plasticity. Our goal is to understand how synaptic plasticity is regulated in discrete neural circuits, and how alterations of this process can lead to neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. In particular, our laboratory is currently identifying susceptible circuits during early stages of neurodegeneration by using viral-based circuit mapping techniques. We are also interested in understanding how critical neuromodulators such as cathecolamines and endogenous neuropeptides are secreted and how their exocytosis impacts synaptic plasticity and ultimately behavior. To improve the resolution of our molecular studies and manipulations, we plan to develop novel tools to regulate neuronal signaling and function. In particular, we are interested in exploring photo-activatable molecules to control vesicle dynamics in in vivo and in vitro models.

Representative Publications

Natural and Pathological Aging Distinctively Impacts the Pheromone Detection System and Social Behavior. Portales A, Chamero P, Jurado S. Mol Neurobiol. 2023 Published: 02 May 2023 - Open Access - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-023-03362-3
Specification of oxytocinergic and vasopressinergic circuits in the developing mouse brain Madrigal MdP, Jurado S Commun Biol 2021 4(1):586 https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02110-4
Retinoic Acid and LTP Recruit Postsynaptic AMPA Receptors Using Distinct SNARE-Dependent Mechanisms Kristin L Arendt , Yingsha Zhang , Sandra Jurado , Robert C Malenka , Thomas C Südhof , Lu Chen Neuron 2015 86(2):442 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2015.03.009
Synaptic Function of Rab11Fip5: Selective Requirement for Hippocampal Long-Term Depression Taulant Bacaj, Mohiuddin Ahmad, Sandra Jurado, Robert C. Malenka and Thomas C. Südhof J Neuroscience 2015 35 (19) 7460 https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1581-14.2015
Chronic pain. Decreased motivation during chronic pain requires long-term depression in the nucleus accumbens Schwartz N,Temkin P, Jurado S, Lim BK, Polepalli JS, Malenka RC. Science 2014 345(6196):535 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1253994
LTP requires a unique postsynaptic SNARE fusion machinery. Jurado S, Goswami D, Zhang Y, Molina AJ, Südhof TC, Malenka RC. Neuron 2013 77(3):542 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2012.11.029

Main Investigator

Sandra Jurado Sánchez

Doctor Investigador

Maria Royo Cantabrana

Predoctor / Support Investigation

Beatriz Aznar Escolano

Predoctor / Support Investigation

Adrián Portales Montes

Technicians

Sonia Amorós Bru

Master Students

Caroline Josee Hamal

Natural and Pathological Aging Distinctively Impacts the Pheromone Detection System and Social Behavior. Portales A, Chamero P, Jurado S. Mol Neurobiol. 2023 Published: 02 May 2023 - Open Access - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-023-03362-3
AMPA Receptor Function in Hypothalamic Synapses. Royo M, Escolano BA, Madrigal MP, Jurado S Front Synaptic Neurosci. 2022 14: art 833449 Review https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsyn.2022.833449
Rnd3 is necessary for the correct oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination in the central nervous system. Madrigal MP, Ballester-Lurbe B, Gómez O, Moreno-Bravo JA, Puelles E, Jurado S, Garcia-Verdugo JM, Pérez-Roger I, Terrado J Brain Struct Funct. 2022 227(3): 829-841 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-021-02419-0
Specification of oxytocinergic and vasopressinergic circuits in the developing mouse brain Madrigal MdP, Jurado S Commun Biol 2021 4(1):586 https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02110-4
A retention-release mechanism based on RAB11FIP2 for AMPA receptor synaptic delivery during long-term potentiation Royo M, Gutiérrez Y, Fernández-Monreal M, Gutiérrez-Eisman S, Jiménez R, Jurado S, Esteban JA Journal of Cell Science 2019 132(24):jcs234237 https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.234237
Postsynaptic SNARE Proteins: Role in Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity Madrigal MP, Portales A, SanJuan MP, Jurado S Neuroscience 2019 420:12 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.11.012
AMPA Receptor Trafficking in Natural and Pathological Aging Jurado S Front Mol Neurosci 2018 10:446 https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2017.00446
Retinoic Acid and LTP Recruit Postsynaptic AMPA Receptors Using Distinct SNARE-Dependent Mechanisms Kristin L Arendt , Yingsha Zhang , Sandra Jurado , Robert C Malenka , Thomas C Südhof , Lu Chen Neuron 2015 86(2):442 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2015.03.009
Synaptic Function of Rab11Fip5: Selective Requirement for Hippocampal Long-Term Depression Taulant Bacaj, Mohiuddin Ahmad, Sandra Jurado, Robert C. Malenka and Thomas C. Südhof J Neuroscience 2015 35 (19) 7460 https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1581-14.2015
Chronic pain. Decreased motivation during chronic pain requires long-term depression in the nucleus accumbens Schwartz N,Temkin P, Jurado S, Lim BK, Polepalli JS, Malenka RC. Science 2014 345(6196):535 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1253994
LTP requires a unique postsynaptic SNARE fusion machinery. Jurado S, Goswami D, Zhang Y, Molina AJ, Südhof TC, Malenka RC. Neuron 2013 77(3):542 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2012.11.029