User profiles for Chris Ulens
 | Chris UlensKU Leuven Verified email at kuleuven.be Cited by 3228 |
Structural determinants of selective α-conotoxin binding to a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor homolog AChBP
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is the prototype member of the superfamily of
pentameric ligand-gated ion channels. How the extracellular ligand-binding domain …
pentameric ligand-gated ion channels. How the extracellular ligand-binding domain …
[HTML][HTML] Functional heteromerization of HCN1 and HCN2 pacemaker channels
An important step toward understanding the molecular basis of the functional diversity of
pacemaker currents in spontaneously active cells has been the identification of a gene family …
pacemaker currents in spontaneously active cells has been the identification of a gene family …
AChBP‐targeted α‐conotoxin correlates distinct binding orientations with nAChR subtype selectivity
Neuronal nAChRs are a diverse family of pentameric ion channels with wide distribution
throughout cells of the nervous and immune systems. However, the role of specific subtypes in …
throughout cells of the nervous and immune systems. However, the role of specific subtypes in …
Structural insights into Cys-loop receptor function and ligand recognition
M Nys, D Kesters, C Ulens - Biochemical pharmacology, 2013 - Elsevier
This review outlines recent insights into ligand recognition, channel gating and ion permeation
for the family of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs). These receptors are …
for the family of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs). These receptors are …
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channel ELIC is activated by GABA and modulated by benzodiazepines
…, W Sieghart, SCR Lummis, C Ulens - Proceedings of the …, 2012 - National Acad Sciences
GABA A receptors are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels involved in fast inhibitory
neurotransmission and are allosterically modulated by the anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and sedative…
neurotransmission and are allosterically modulated by the anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and sedative…
Molecular blueprint of allosteric binding sites in a homologue of the agonist-binding domain of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) belongs to the family of pentameric ligand-gated
ion channels and is involved in fast synaptic signaling. In this study, we take advantage …
ion channels and is involved in fast synaptic signaling. In this study, we take advantage …
[PDF][PDF] Regulation of hyperpolarization-activated HCN channels by cAMP through a gating switch in binding domain symmetry
C Ulens, SA Siegelbaum - Neuron, 2003 - cell.com
Recent X-ray structures show that the binding domains of tetrameric ligand-gated channels
form either a 4-fold symmetric gating ring or a 2-fold symmetric dimer of dimers. To determine …
form either a 4-fold symmetric gating ring or a 2-fold symmetric dimer of dimers. To determine …
[HTML][HTML] The molecular mechanism of snake short-chain α-neurotoxin binding to muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Bites by elapid snakes (eg cobras) can result in life-threatening paralysis caused by venom
neurotoxins blocking neuromuscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Here, we determine …
neurotoxins blocking neuromuscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Here, we determine …
[HTML][HTML] A Structural and Mutagenic Blueprint for Molecular Recognition of Strychnine and d-Tubocurarine by Different Cys-Loop Receptors
…, L Krijnen, JL Yakel, V Tsetlin, AB Smit, C Ulens - PLoS …, 2011 - journals.plos.org
Cys-loop receptors (CLR) are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast
excitatory or inhibitory transmission in the nervous system. Strychnine and d-tubocurarine (d-TC) …
excitatory or inhibitory transmission in the nervous system. Strychnine and d-tubocurarine (d-TC) …
[PDF][PDF] Structure of NPP1, an ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase involved in tissue calcification
S Jansen, A Perrakis, C Ulens, C Winkler, M Andries… - Structure, 2012 - cell.com
Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase-1 (NPP1) converts extracellular
nucleotides into inorganic pyrophosphate, whereas its close relative NPP2/autotaxin hydrolyzes …
nucleotides into inorganic pyrophosphate, whereas its close relative NPP2/autotaxin hydrolyzes …