Publications by authors named "Rachel Polfer"
Calcium homeostasis modulators (CALHMs) are the most recently discovered members of the large-pore channel family. They mediate the conductance of ions and larger molecules, such as ATP, and play critical roles in pathways related to Alzheimer's disease, neuroinflammation, neuromodulation, taste perception and innate immune responses. Since the inaugural report on CALHM1 in 2008, significant breakthroughs have revealed their biological roles, ion and ATP channel functions, and structures, positioning the field for further advancements.
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- Loss of RNA balance in neurons is linked to various neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, yet the details of how neuroinflammation starts are not well understood.
- Research shows that human neurons possess high levels of immunostimulatory double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) which are generated from long 3'UTRs, and specific genes can enhance both the length of these UTRs and the dsRNA levels.
- While normal neurons use dsRNAs to activate antiviral defenses, those lacking the dsRNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 face toxic inflammation and cell death, highlighting the need for RNA homeostasis to avoid harmful neuroinflammation.