6 October 2023, 10:00
Mechanisms for Balancing Sleep Need and Sleep
AbstractThe essential but enigmatic functions of sleep must be reflected in physical changes sensed by the brain s sleep control systems In Drosophila a handful of sleep inducing neurons adjust their electrical output to sleep need via the antagonistic regulation of two potassium conductances the leak channel Sandman suppresses activity during waking whereas voltage gated currents through... AbstractThe essential but enigmatic functions of sleep must be reflected in physical changes sensed by the brain's sleep-control systems. In Drosophila, a handful of sleep-inducing neurons adjust their electrical output to sleep need, via the antagonistic regulation of two potassium conductances: the leak channel Sandman suppresses activity during waking, whereas voltage-gated currents through Shaker support tonic firing during sleep. Insight into the sleep need-dependent regulation of these ion channels is beginning to furnish a molecular interpretation of sleep pressure, uncover the cellular processes responsible for its accumulation and discharge, and hint at some of the physiological roles of sleep.
Speaker(s): Gero Miesenböck, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Host: Hiroki Asari
Place: Conf Room/Building 14
EMBL Distinguished Visitor Lecture
EMBL Rome
Additional information
Abstract
The essential but enigmatic functions of sleep must be reflected in physical changes sensed by the brain's sleep-control systems. In Drosophila, a handful of sleep-inducing neurons adjust their electrical output to sleep need, via the antagonistic regulation of two potassium conductances: the leak channel Sandman suppresses activity during waking, whereas voltage-gated currents through Shaker support tonic firing during sleep. Insight into the sleep need-dependent regulation of these ion channels is beginning to furnish a molecular interpretation of sleep pressure, uncover the cellular processes responsible for its accumulation and discharge, and hint at some of the physiological roles of sleep.