UA Pharmacology Seminar with Johns Hopkins’ Xinzhong Dong, PhD

Department of Pharmacology Seminar Series

TOPIC: "The role of Mrgprs in pain and itch"
SPEAKER: Xinzhong Dong, PhD
Professor, Neuroscience, Neurosurgery and Dermatology
Neuroscience Training Program
Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program
The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience
Johns Hopkins University

Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019
11 a.m. – Noon
UA Health Sciences, Room 8403

About the Presenter:
Dr. Xinzhong Dong’s research focuses on molecular and cellular studies of somatosensation, inflammation, and related diseases, as well as imaging of pain neurons.

Synopsis: My laboratory has taken a multidisciplinary approach to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of different types of somatosensations, including pain and itch, which are initiated and mediated by primary sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). We identified a novel family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in mice called Mrgprs. We found that several Mrgprs are specifically expressed in DRG neurons and function as itch receptors by detecting various itchy substances. In addition to itch, certain Mrgs play an inhibitory role in spinal central sensitization and chronic pain. In addition to itch receptors, we found that MrgprX2 in humans and MrgprB2 in mice are expressed exclusively in mast cells and play an essential role in IgE-independent mast cell activation and mediate itch and pain.

Contact: Vickie Healey - 520-626-7218; vhealey@email.arizona.edu

Dr. Xinzhong Dong - Announcement Flyer (please post and share):
 F19-1-16-XinzhongDong-Announcement.pdf