Home Faculty and Research Faculty by Name Diana Bautista

Diana Bautista

Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology

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Research Interests

In mammals, the initial detection of noxious chemical, mechanical or thermal stimuli – a process referred to as nociception – is mediated by specialized somatosensory neurons called nociceptors. Surprising little is known about the molecules underlying nociception. How painful stimuli excite nociceptors and how injury changes sensitivity to touch and pain are open questions. We are using a cellular physiology and molecular genetics approach to address these questions.

Current Projects

Our current research focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of somatosensory mechanotransduction. Because many forms of injury are accompanied by mechanical hypersensitivity, understanding the molecular basis of mechanosensation will help to elucidate chronic pain mechanisms. Despite its widespread importance, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that mechanosensitive neurons use to detect benign and harmful touch. We are using two approaches to identify the transduction events underlying somatosensory mechanotransduction.

I. Developing new strategies for the functional analysis of somatosensory neurons. A critical step in describing cellular and molecular events involved in mechanotransduction is to develop in vitro assays that approximate the biological activities of mechanosensory neurons. Thus, we are developing novel mechanical stimulation paradigms and biomarkers to distinguish among subtypes of sensory neurons. We are also studying natural products that specifically target mechanosensitive sensory neurons. These tools, in combination with imaging, electrophysiology and molecular genetics, will be used to characterize endogenous mechanosensory responses and identify candidate transduction molecules.

II. The star-nosed mole as a model system of mammalian touch reception. In collaboration with Dr. Ken Catania (Vanderbilt U.), we are investigating the cellular and molecular basis of touch reception in star-nosed moles. The nose of this mole is surrounded by 22 appendages collectively referred to as the "star," and is the most sensitive touch organ known. The diffuse localization of touch receptors throughout the skin and other target organs has hampered the discovery of molecules underlying somatosensation. Just as the electric organ of the eel led to the isolation of the voltage-gated sodium channel, the high concentration of touch receptors in the star provides a unique opportunity for identifying mechanotransduction molecules. Towards this end, we are developing culture conditions to probe mechanical responses of neurons that innervate the star. We are also constructing full-length cDNA libraries for use in identifying candidate signaling molecules by homology and by expression cloning. Additionally, we are taking a bioinformatics approach to identify genes enriched in the star.

Selected Publications

Pungent agents from Szechuan peppers excite sensory neurons by inhibiting two-pore potassium channels (2008). Bautista DM, Sigal, YM, Tsuruda PR, Milstein AD, Garrison JL, Zorn JA, Nicoll RA, Julius D. Nature Neuroscience 7:772-779.

TRPA1: Irritant detector of the airways (2008) Gerhold KA and Bautista DM. J. Physiol 586(15):3303.

TRPA1 mediates formalin-induced pain (2007). Colleen R. McNamara, Josh Mandel-Brehm, Diana M. Bautista, Jan Siemens, Kari L. Deranian, Michael Zhao, Neil J. Hayward, Jayhong A. Chong, David Julius, Magdalene M. Moran, and Christopher M. Fanger. PNAS 104(33) 13525-30.

4-Hydroxynonenal, an endogenous aldehyde, causes pain and neurogenic inflammation through activation of the irritant receptor TRPA1 (2007). Marcello Trevisani, Jan Siemens, Serena Materazzi, Diana M. Bautista, Romina Nassini, Barbara Campi, Noritaka Imamachi, Eunice Andrè, Riccardo Patacchini, Graeme S. Cottrell, Raffaele Gatti, Allan I. Basbaum, Nigel W. Bunnett, David Julius, and Pierangelo Geppetti. PNAS 104(33) 13519-24.

The menthol receptor TRPM8 is the principal detector of environmental cold (2007). Bautista DM, Siemens J, Glazer JM, Tsuruda PR, Basbaum AI, Stucky CL, Jordt SE, Julius D. Nature 448: 204-208.

Fine structure of Eimer's organ in the coast mole (Scapanus orarius) (2007). Marasco PD, Tsuruda PR, Bautista DM, Julius D, Catania KC. Anatomical Rec. 290(5):437-48.

TRP channel activation by reversible covalent modification (2006). Hinman A, Chuang HH, Bautista DM, Julius D. PNAS 103(51):19564-8.

Neuroanatomical evidence for segregation of nerve fibers conveying light touch and pain sensation in Eimer’s organ of the mole (2006). Marasco PD, Tsuruda PR, Bautista DM, Julius D, Catania KC. PNAS 10: 1073.

TRPA1 mediates the inflammatory actions of environmental irritants and proalgesic agents (2006). Bautista DM, Jordt SE, Nikai T, Tsuruda PR, Read AJ, Poblete J, Yamoah EN, Basbaum AI, Julius D. Cell 124(6):1269-82.

Pungent products from garlic activate the sensory ion channel TRPA1 (2005). Bautista DM, Movahed P, Hinman A, Axelsson HE, Sterner O, Hogestatt ED, Julius D, Jordt SE, Zygmunt PM. PNAS 102(34): 12248-52.

Feeling the pressure in mammalian somatosensation (2005). Lumpkin EA, Bautista DM. Current Opinion of Neurobiology 15(4): 382-8.

Mustard oils and cannabinoids excite sensory nerve fibres through the TRP channel ANKTM1 (2004). Jordt SE, Bautista DM, Chuang HH, McKemy DD, Zygmunt PM, Hogestatt ED, Meng ID, Julius D. Nature 427:260-5.

Last Updated 2008-08-15