LABORATORY OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY

Principal investigators

  • Dra. Cecilia Bouzat
  • Dra. Guillermina Hernando
  • Dra. Carmen Esandi
BOUZAT, CECILIA
HERNANDO, GUILLERMINA
ESANDI, M. DEL CARMEN

Research lines

Neurotransmitter receptors as therapeutic targets: From molecular to physiological and pathological aspects

Rapid communication in the nervous system is mediated by neurotransmitter receptors that function as ion channels. Among these, the Cys-loop receptor family—including nicotinic acetylcholine, serotonin 5-HT3, GABA-A, and glycine receptors—plays a prominent role. These receptors are essential for processes such as learning, memory, neuromuscular transmission, sensory processing, and addiction. They are also expressed in non-neuronal cells, where they exert anti-inflammatory and protective functions. Dysfunction of these receptors is associated with a variety of human diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, schizophrenia, hyperactivity, depression, congenital myasthenic syndromes, and inflammatory disorders.

Our ultimate goal is to elucidate the mechanisms and structural basis underlying the function of Cys-loop receptors, with a primary focus on nicotinic acetylcholine and serotonin receptors; to design, develop, and identify new synthetic and natural compounds that modulate these receptors and have therapeutic potential for a range of nervous system disorders; to validate Caenorhabditis elegans models for investigating neurodegenerative and neurological disorders associated with Cys-loop receptors; and to establish C. elegans as a platform for identifying novel antiparasitic agents from synthetic and natural lead compounds.

To achieve these goals, we employ cell culture and molecular biology techniques, electrophysiological recordings, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, as well as C. elegans culture and behavioral assays. The knowledge generated by our research will provide a foundation for the development of Cys-loop receptors as therapeutic targets and contribute to the discovery of new drugs and novel strategies for medical treatment.

Researchers / Fellows

  • Dr. Facundo Chrestia
  • Dra. Noelia Rodríguez Araujo
  • Dra. Ornella Turani
  • Lic. Alcibeth Pulido Carrasquero

Collaborators

  • Dr. Jeremías Corradi – New College of Florida (EEUU)

Selected Publications

  • Berge, Hernando and Bouzat C (2025) Gain-of-function mutations in Caenorhabditis elegans levamisole-sensitive nicotinic receptors evaluated at the single-channel level. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 778,152401. Doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.152401
  • Hernando G, Turani O, Rodriguez Araujo N, Pulido Carrasquero A, Bouzat C. (2025). Unraveling anthelmintic targets and mechanisms of action of trans-cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon essential oil. Scientific Reports 15(1):5422. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-89883-4.PMID: 39948358
  • Lara CO, Burgos CF, Fariña-Oliva K, Marileo AM, Martín VPS, Flaig D, Soto-Ortega P, Contreras OV, Sazo A, Gaete-Riquelme K, Corradi J, Muñoz-Montesino C, Fuentealba J, Castro PA, Aguayo LG, Bouzat C, Moraga-Cid G, Yévenes GE. (2025). Allosteric modulation and direct activation of glycine receptors by a tricyclic sulfonamide. Scientific Reports 15(1):5515. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-90209-7
  • Hernando G and Bouzat C. (2025). Drug combination assays using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 131, 107583. doi.org/10.1016/j.vascn.2025.107583
  • Pallotti V, Arzoz Caroselli V, Esandi ME and Esandi MC (2025). Questionable practices concerning authorship and their prevalence: an umbrella review of evidence. Journal of Academic Ethics 23, 2379–2399, 2025. doi.org/10.1007/s10805-025-09656-6
  • Mayora Justel CL, Valladares T, Gargiulo L, Gonzalez Pardo V, De Sousa M, Esandi MC, Davio C, Lüthy I and Bruzzone (2025). Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 and 7 regulates breast cancer cell proliferation” BBA- General Subjects, vol 1869, 11, 130850- 61, 2025. doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2025.130850
  • Bartos M., Gallegos GE., Mónaco N., Lencinas I., Dominguez S., Brasa C., Esandi MC, Bouzat C, Gumilar F. (2024) Developmental exposure to arsenic reduces anxiety levels and leads to a depressive-like behavior in female offspring rats: Molecular changes in the prefrontal cortex. Neurotoxicology 104:85-94. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.07.013
  • Mukhtasimova N, Bouzat C# and Sine SM# (2024) Novel interplay between agonist and calcium binding sites modulates drug potentiation of a7 acetylcholine receptor. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 81:332. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-024-05374-1
  • Wagner PM, Salgado MA, Turani O, Fornasier SJ, Salvador GA; Smania AM, Bouzat C, Guido ME (2024). Rhythms in lipid droplet content driven by a metabolic oscillator are conserved throughout evolution. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 81(1):348. https://doi: 10.1007/s00018-024-05355-4
  • Hernando G. and Bouzat C (2024). Evaluating anthelmintic activity through Caenorhabditis elegans egg hatching assay. MethodsX, Volume 12, 2024, 102743, ISSN 2215-0161, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2024.102743.
  • Turani O, Castro MJ, Vazzana J, Mendioroz P, Volpe MA, Gerbino DC, and Bouzat C (2024). Potent Anthelmintic Activity of Chalcones Synthesized by an Effective Green Approach. ChemMedChem 19(13) e202400071 (1-11). https://doi.org/10.1002/cmdc.202400071
  • Juan Pablo Munafó, Brunella Biscussi, Diego Obiol, Marcelo Costabel, Cecilia Bouzat, Ana Paula Murray, and Silvia Antollini (2024). New Multitarget Molecules Derived from Caffeine as Potentiators of the Cholinergic System. ACS Chemical Neuroscience 15(5):994-1009. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00710.
  • Viscarra F, Chrestia JF, Sanchez Y, Pérez EG, Biggin PC, Bouzat C,* Bermudez I,* and López, JJ* (2023). *Última autoría compartida. Side Groups Convert the α7 Nicotinic Receptor Agonist Ether Quinuclidine into a Type I Positive Allosteric Modulator. ACS Chemical Neuroscience 14, 16, 2876–2887. org/10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00225.
  • Hernando G, Turani O, Rodriguez Araujo N, and Bouzat C (2023). The diverse family of Cys-loop receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans: Insights from electrophysiological studies. Biophysical Reviews 15(4):733-750. doi: 10.1007/s12551-023-01080-7. eCollection 2023 Aug.
  • Chrestia JF, Turani O, Rodriguez Araujo N, Hernando G, Esandi MC and Bouzat C (2023). Regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by post-translational modifications. Pharmacological Research 190, 106712. DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106712
  • Chrestia JF, Esandi MC, Bouzat C (2022). Cannabidiol as a modulator of α7 nicotinic receptors. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 79, 564–580 (https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s00018-022-04600-y).
  • Rodriguez Araujo N, Hernando G, Corradi J and Bouzat C. (2022). The nematode serotonin-gated chloride channel MOD-1: A novel target for anthelmintic therapy. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 298(9) 102356. doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102356.
  • Esandi MC, Marinovich J, Bergé I, García NA, German OL, VB, Sierra F,  Serralunga MG, Esandi ME, del Valle M, and Bouzat C (2022). COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance through pool testing focused on asymptomatic healthcare workers in the city of Bahía Blanca. Revista Argentina De Salud Pública. Suplemento COVID-19. ISSN 1853-810X
  • Chrestia JF, Oliveira AS, Mulholland AJ, Gallagher T, Bermúdez I and Bouzat C (2022). A Functional Interaction Between Y674-R685 Region of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and the Human α7 Nicotinic Receptor. Molecular Neurobiology 59:6076–6090. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-022-02947-8
  • Chrestia JF, Bruzzone A, Esandi MC and Bouzat C (2021). Tyrosine phosphorylation differentially fine-tunes ionotropic and metabotropic responses of human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 78, 5381–5395 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-021-03853-3).
  • Minguez‐Viñas T, Nielsen BE, Shoemark DK, Gotti C, Sessions RB, Mulholland AJ, Bouzat C, Wonnacott S, Gallagher T, Bermudez I and Oliveira AS (2021). A conserved arginine with non‐conserved function is a key determinant of agonist selectivity in α7 nicotinic ACh receptors. British Journal of Pharmacology 178, 1651-1668. DOI: 1111/bph.15389
  • Silva A, Tomassini C, Zurbrigg J, Palacios AG, Amarante V, and Bouzat C. (2021). Gender inequality in Latin American Neuroscience community. IBRO Neuroscience Reports 10, 104–108  doi: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2021.01.006. eCollection 2021 Jun.
  • Moglie MJ, Marcovich I, Corradi J, Carpaneto Freixas AE, Gallino S, Plazas PV, Bouzat C, Lipovsek M and Elgoyhen AB (2021). Loss of Choline Agonism in the Inner Ear Hair Cell Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Linked to the α10 Subunit. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 14 | Article 639720. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.639720
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Full list

Contact:

DRA. CECILIA BOUZAT

 inbouzat@criba.edu.ar

+ 54 291 4037195

DRA. MARÍA DEL CARMEN ESANDI

 cesandi@criba.edu.ar

+ 54 291 4037195

DRA. GUILLERMINA HERNANDO

 hernando@criba.edu.ar

+ 54 291 4037195

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