The Van Horn Lab

(ASU
Biochemistry)
BY MANUEL MAC CASTRO

General Background

The Van Horn lab studies membrane

proteins (proteins which live in cell
membranes) using NMR.

We do this for both physical science

and medical purposes (as explained
later)

We are an ASU lab, fully funded by

grants.

We are a group of undergraduate,

graduate and postdocs working
under Dr. Wade Van Horn.

http://vanhorn.lab.asu.edu/research

Proteins

Proteins are a bundle of small molecules

called amino acids.

They do basically everything that keeps us

alive.

There are about 23,000 proteins in the

human body.

Science only knows what 3% of them do /

look like on the molecular level.

The Van Horn lab focuses in membrane

proteins called TRP channels, which act as
signalers between cells (communication)

What We Study (TRP Channels)

Transient Receptor of Potential

Nonselective ion channels

Expression is scattered among

metazoans (rats, flies, worms,

pufferfish)

Humans express 27 of known

channels

Active in signal transduction and cellular

sensation (basically, what makes you feel
conscious)

Why We Study TRP Channels

Trans-membrane proteins

(traditionally very hard proteins to

study)

Upregulated gene in various forms of

cancer (including but not limited to
lungs, breast, and skin); used for
diagnosis / potential drug target.

Involved in pain sensation

Shows binding to cold-mimicking

molecules (such as menthol, which is
known to feel like a cold sensation)

Data Weve Collected

These graphs show some of the Van

Horn Lab Data. We have shown that
TRPM8, the alleged cold sensing
molecule, is modulated by both low
temperatures (right) and menthol
(bottom right).

The Data below shows TRPM8

interacting with another protein
called PIRT2, a name which we
dubbed it (because were the first lab
test it).

How We Study it.

https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1vyB
-O5i6E

In the short video above, there is a

frog levitating in a strong magnetic
field. This is because the magnet is
so powerful, it is actually lifting the
water in its body!

For our experiments, we use a

technology called NMR (nuclear
magnetic resonance) to fingerprint
the atoms in our proteins, as well
as where they are in 3D space.
(NMR magnet to the right)

Impacts on the World

TRPM8 is highly investigated by large

pharma companies (Bayer, Merck,
Pfizer, etc.)

Could be a great route to helping treat

cancer, as well as our understanding of
chronic pain.

Helps understand the physical nature

of biology at the molecular level, which
is the next step towards medicine.

TRPM8 is a nervous protein, so

involved in perception. May help our
physical understanding of perception.