Clémentin Jacques

Ion channels are major actors in cancer. This project aims to understand their role in IDH1 gliomas. This type of tumor are composed of 2 populations of cells: proliferative, and quiescent. Proliferative cells are sensitive to current treatments, while quiescent cells are more resistant and are responsible for relapse. SK3 channels and GABBR1/2 receptors were identified as genes specific to the quiescent state; SK3 is a K+ channel whose activation is Ca2+ dependent. GABBR1/2 are 2 different GPCR. Their activation leads to an increase of intracellular Ca2+, which may activate SK3 channels.

This internship aims to determine whether SK3 channels and GABBR1/2 are functional ; the activity of SK3 will be detected using patch-clamp and different drugs, specific agonists and antagonists. The activation of GABBR1/2 will be followed thanks to calcium imaging using GABA and baclofene, and the relationship between the channel and the receptors will be studied by analyzing the opening of SK3 during the activation of GABBR1/2 activation by agonists.