
The Julius Lab is interested in understanding how signals are received and transmitted by the nervous system. In one area of research, the power of natural products to elucidate molecular mechanisms of touch and pain sensation is explored. For example, the lab researches how capsaicin, the main pungent ingredient in "hot" chili peppers, elicits burning pain, and how menthol, the cooling agent in mint leaves, evokes an icy cool sensation. Using these agents as pharmacological probes, Julius' Lab has identified ion channels on sensory nerve fibers that are activated by heat or cold, providing molecular insight into the process of thermosensation. With the aid of genetic, electrophysiological, and behavioral methods, the lab probes how these ion channels contribute to the detection of heat or cold, and how their activity is modulated in response to tumor growth, infection, or other forms of injury that produce inflammation and pain hypersensitivity.
Structure and function of specific neurotransmitter receptors is also studied, such as those activated by serotonin or extracellular nucleotides, and use genetic methods to identify roles for these receptors in physiological and behavioral processes, such as feeding, anxiety, pain, thrombosis, and cell growth and motility.
We are interested in the molecular biology of sensory transduction and neurotransmitter action in the mammalian nervous system. One of our goals is to understand the molecular basis of somatosensation - the process whereby we experience touch and temperature - with an emphasis on identifying molecules that detect noxious (pain-producing) stimuli. We are also interested in understanding how somatosensation is altered in response to tissue or nerve injury.
Our approach has been to identify molecular targets for drugs or natural products that mimic the psychophysical effects of commonly encountered somatosensory stimuli, such as heat or cold. Thus, we have asked how capsaicin, the main pungent ingredient in "hot" chili peppers, elicits a sensation of burning pain. Using a combination of molecular genetic, electrophysiological, and histological methods, we have shown that capsaicin activates an excitatory ion channel (called TRPV1) on sensory nerve endings. Remarkably, TRPV1 is also activated by heat (>43 deg C), and we have used transgenic methods to demonstrate that this channel contributes to the detection of noxious heat in vivo and is essential for the development of thermal hypersensitivity following tissue injury. These findings have led us to ask how TRPV1 functions as a molecular integrator of physical and chemical signals that regulate sensory neuron excitability under normal and pathophysiological conditions.
On a related front, we have extended our molecular analysis of somatosensation by determining how we detect cold. Following the paradigm set forth by our work on the capsaicin receptor, we asked how cooling compounds, such as menthol, elicit a cool sensation. We have cloned a menthol receptor from primary sensory neurons and shown that it is also activated by cold thermal stimuli, proving that menthol elicits its familiar psychophysical sensation by activating a cold receptor. The structure of this menthol/cold receptor (TRPM8) resembles that of TRPV1, demonstrating that ion channels of this class serve as the principal sensors of thermal stimuli in the mammalian peripheral nervous system. Indeed, we have recently shown that mice deficient in TRPM8 display striking defects in cold and menthol sensitivity at the cellular and behavioral levels.
In more recent studies, we have identified another TRP channel (ANKTM1 or TRPA1) on sensory nerve fibers that is activated by allyl isothiocyanate, the pungent ingredient in wasabi and other mustards. Genetic and physiological evidence from our lab suggests that TRPA1 is an important component of the signaling mechanism through which certain pro-algesic agents depolarize sensory neurons to produce pain hypersensitivity and neurogenic inflammation.
In addition to our work on somatosensation and pain, we also study specific neurotransmitter receptor systems, such as those activated by serotonin or extracellular nucleotides. A recent example of our work in this area includes identification of the P2Y12 receptor, an ADP-activated G protein-coupled receptor that contributes to platelet aggregation and serves as the molecular target for the widely prescribed antithrombotic drugs, clopidogrel and ticlopidine. P2Y12R is also expressed by microglial cells in the brain and we have recently shown that this receptor modulates microglial activity to regulate injury responses in the central nervous system.
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Irritant-evoked activation and calcium modulation of the TRPA1 receptor. Nature. 2020 09; 585(7823):141-145. Zhao J, Lin King JV, Paulsen CE, Cheng Y, Julius D. PMID: 32641835.
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Structural insights into TRPM8 inhibition and desensitization. Science. 2019 09 27; 365(6460):1434-1440. Diver MM, Cheng Y, Julius D. PMID: 31488702.
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A Cell-Penetrating Scorpion Toxin Enables Mode-Specific Modulation of TRPA1 and Pain. Cell. 2019 09 05; 178(6):1362-1374.e16. Lin King JV, Emrick JJ, Kelly MJS, Herzig V, King GF, Medzihradszky KF, Julius D. PMID: 31447178.
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Membrane mimetic systems in CryoEM: keeping membrane proteins in their native environment. Curr Opin Struct Biol. 2019 10; 58:259-268. Autzen HE, Julius D, Cheng Y. PMID: 31279500.
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Structural insight into TRPV5 channel function and modulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019 04 30; 116(18):8869-8878. Dang S, van Goor MK, Asarnow D, Wang Y, Julius D, Cheng Y, van der Wijst J. PMID: 30975749.
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Tissue-specific contributions of Tmem79 to atopic dermatitis and mast cell-mediated histaminergic itch. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 12 18; 115(51):E12091-E12100. Emrick JJ, Mathur A, Wei J, Gracheva EO, Gronert K, Rosenblum MD, Julius D. PMID: 30463955.
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Molecular tuning of electroreception in sharks and skates. Nature. 2018 06; 558(7708):122-126. Bellono NW, Leitch DB, Julius D. PMID: 29849147.
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Structure of the human TRPM4 ion channel in a lipid nanodisc. Science. 2018 01 12; 359(6372):228-232. Autzen HE, Myasnikov AG, Campbell MG, Asarnow D, Julius D, Cheng Y. PMID: 29217581.
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Enterochromaffin Cells Are Gut Chemosensors that Couple to Sensory Neural Pathways. Cell. 2017 Jun 29; 170(1):185-198.e16. Bellono NW, Bayrer JR, Leitch DB, Castro J, Zhang C, O'Donnell TA, Brierley SM, Ingraham HA, Julius D. PMID: 28648659.
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Pharmacology of the Nav1.1 domain IV voltage sensor reveals coupling between inactivation gating processes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 06 27; 114(26):6836-6841. Osteen JD, Sampson K, Iyer V, Julius D, Bosmans F. PMID: 28607094.
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Molecular basis of ancestral vertebrate electroreception. Nature. 2017 03 16; 543(7645):391-396. Bellono NW, Leitch DB, Julius D. PMID: 28264196.
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Lys49 myotoxin from the Brazilian lancehead pit viper elicits pain through regulated ATP release. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 03 21; 114(12):E2524-E2532. Zhang C, Medzihradszky KF, Sánchez EE, Basbaum AI, Julius D. PMID: 28265084.
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Selective spider toxins reveal a role for the Nav1.1 channel in mechanical pain. Nature. 2016 06 23; 534(7608):494-9. Osteen JD, Herzig V, Gilchrist J, Emrick JJ, Zhang C, Wang X, Castro J, Garcia-Caraballo S, Grundy L, Rychkov GY, Weyer AD, Dekan Z, Undheim EA, Alewood P, Stucky CL, Brierley SM, Basbaum AI, Bosmans F, King GF, Julius D. PMID: 27281198.
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TRPV1 structures in nanodiscs reveal mechanisms of ligand and lipid action. Nature. 2016 06 16; 534(7607):347-51. Gao Y, Cao E, Julius D, Cheng Y. PMID: 27281200.
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Structure of the TRPA1 ion channel suggests regulatory mechanisms. Nature. 2015 Sep 24; 525(7570):552. Paulsen CE, Armache JP, Gao Y, Cheng Y, Julius D. PMID: 26200340.
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Editorial overview: molecular biology of sensation. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2015 Oct; 34:v-vi. Julius D, Carlson JR. PMID: 26209561.
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Structure of the TRPA1 ion channel suggests regulatory mechanisms. Nature. 2015 Apr 23; 520(7548):511-7. Paulsen CE, Armache JP, Gao Y, Cheng Y, Julius D. PMID: 25855297.
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Single particle electron cryo-microscopy of a mammalian ion channel. Curr Opin Struct Biol. 2014 Aug; 27:1-7. Liao M, Cao E, Julius D, Cheng Y. PMID: 24681231.
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X-ray structure of acid-sensing ion channel 1-snake toxin complex reveals open state of a Na(+)-selective channel. Cell. 2014 Feb 13; 156(4):717-29. Baconguis I, Bohlen CJ, Goehring A, Julius D, Gouaux E. PMID: 24507937.
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Structure of the TRPV1 ion channel determined by electron cryo-microscopy. Nature. 2013 Dec 05; 504(7478):107-12. Liao M, Cao E, Julius D, Cheng Y. PMID: 24305160.
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TRPV1 structures in distinct conformations reveal activation mechanisms. Nature. 2013 Dec 05; 504(7478):113-8. Cao E, Liao M, Cheng Y, Julius D. PMID: 24305161.
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TRPV1 channels are intrinsically heat sensitive and negatively regulated by phosphoinositide lipids. Neuron. 2013 Feb 20; 77(4):667-79. Cao E, Cordero-Morales JF, Liu B, Qin F, Julius D. PMID: 23439120.
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TRP channels and pain. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2013; 29:355-84. Julius D. PMID: 24099085.
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Receptor-targeting mechanisms of pain-causing toxins: How ow? Toxicon. 2012 Sep 01; 60(3):254-64. Bohlen CJ, Julius D. PMID: 22538196.
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Signaling by sensory receptors. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2012 Jan 01; 4(1):a005991. Julius D, Nathans J. PMID: 22110046.
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A heteromeric Texas coral snake toxin targets acid-sensing ion channels to produce pain. Nature. 2011 Nov 16; 479(7373):410-4. Bohlen CJ, Chesler AT, Sharif-Naeini R, Medzihradszky KF, Zhou S, King D, Sánchez EE, Burlingame AL, Basbaum AI, Julius D. PMID: 22094702.
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Cytoplasmic ankyrin repeats of transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) dictate sensitivity to thermal and chemical stimuli. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Nov 15; 108(46):E1184-91. Cordero-Morales JF, Gracheva EO, Julius D. PMID: 21930928.
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Ganglion-specific splicing of TRPV1 underlies infrared sensation in vampire bats. Nature. 2011 Aug 03; 476(7358):88-91. Gracheva EO, Cordero-Morales JF, González-CarcacÃa JA, Ingolia NT, Manno C, Aranguren CI, Weissman JS, Julius D. PMID: 21814281.
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Restriction of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 to the peptidergic subset of primary afferent neurons follows its developmental downregulation in nonpeptidergic neurons. J Neurosci. 2011 Jul 13; 31(28):10119-27. Cavanaugh DJ, Chesler AT, Bráz JM, Shah NM, Julius D, Basbaum AI. PMID: 21752988.
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Trpv1 reporter mice reveal highly restricted brain distribution and functional expression in arteriolar smooth muscle cells. J Neurosci. 2011 Mar 30; 31(13):5067-77. Cavanaugh DJ, Chesler AT, Jackson AC, Sigal YM, Yamanaka H, Grant R, O'Donnell D, Nicoll RA, Shah NM, Julius D, Basbaum AI. PMID: 21451044.
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A bivalent tarantula toxin activates the capsaicin receptor, TRPV1, by targeting the outer pore domain. Cell. 2010 May 28; 141(5):834-45. Bohlen CJ, Priel A, Zhou S, King D, Siemens J, Julius D. PMID: 20510930.
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Molecular basis of infrared detection by snakes. Nature. 2010 Apr 15; 464(7291):1006-11. Gracheva EO, Ingolia NT, Kelly YM, Cordero-Morales JF, Hollopeter G, Chesler AT, Sánchez EE, Perez JC, Weissman JS, Julius D. PMID: 20228791.
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Cellular and molecular mechanisms of pain. Cell. 2009 Oct 16; 139(2):267-84. Basbaum AI, Bautista DM, Scherrer G, Julius D. PMID: 19837031.
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Evolution of thermal response properties in a cold-activated TRP channel. PLoS One. 2009 May 29; 4(5):e5741. Myers BR, Sigal YM, Julius D. PMID: 19492038.
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Radial stretch reveals distinct populations of mechanosensitive mammalian somatosensory neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Dec 16; 105(50):20015-20. Bhattacharya MR, Bautista DM, Wu K, Haeberle H, Lumpkin EA, Julius D. PMID: 19060212.
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Multiple unbiased prospective screens identify TRP channels and their conserved gating elements. J Gen Physiol. 2008 Nov; 132(5):481-6. Myers BR, Saimi Y, Julius D, Kung C. PMID: 18955590.
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Zebrafish TRPA1 channels are required for chemosensation but not for thermosensation or mechanosensory hair cell function. J Neurosci. 2008 Oct 01; 28(40):10102-10. Prober DA, Zimmerman S, Myers BR, McDermott BM, Kim SH, Caron S, Rihel J, Solnica-Krezel L, Julius D, Hudspeth AJ, Schier AF. PMID: 18829968.
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Pungent agents from Szechuan peppers excite sensory neurons by inhibiting two-pore potassium channels. Nat Neurosci. 2008 Jul; 11(7):772-9. Bautista DM, Sigal YM, Milstein AD, Garrison JL, Zorn JA, Tsuruda PR, Nicoll RA, Julius D. PMID: 18568022.
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A yeast genetic screen reveals a critical role for the pore helix domain in TRP channel gating. Neuron. 2008 May 08; 58(3):362-73. Myers BR, Bohlen CJ, Julius D. PMID: 18466747.
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Fire in the hole: pore dilation of the capsaicin receptor TRPV1. Nat Neurosci. 2008 May; 11(5):528-9. Bautista D, Julius D. PMID: 18437189.
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TRPA1 mediates formalin-induced pain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Aug 14; 104(33):13525-30. McNamara CR, Mandel-Brehm J, Bautista DM, Siemens J, Deranian KL, Zhao M, Hayward NJ, Chong JA, Julius D, Moran MM, Fanger CM. PMID: 17686976.
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4-Hydroxynonenal, an endogenous aldehyde, causes pain and neurogenic inflammation through activation of the irritant receptor TRPA1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Aug 14; 104(33):13519-24. Trevisani M, Siemens J, Materazzi S, Bautista DM, Nassini R, Campi B, Imamachi N, Andrè E, Patacchini R, Cottrell GS, Gatti R, Basbaum AI, Bunnett NW, Julius D, Geppetti P. PMID: 17684094.
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TRP channel structural biology: new roles for an old fold. Neuron. 2007 Jun 21; 54(6):847-50. Myers BR, Julius D. PMID: 17582323.
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The menthol receptor TRPM8 is the principal detector of environmental cold. Nature. 2007 Jul 12; 448(7150):204-8. Bautista DM, Siemens J, Glazer JM, Tsuruda PR, Basbaum AI, Stucky CL, Jordt SE, Julius D. PMID: 17538622.
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Mechanical, thermal and formalin-induced nociception is differentially altered in 5-HT1A-/-, 5-HT1B-/-, 5-HT2A-/-, 5-HT3A-/- and 5-HTT-/- knock-out male mice. Pain. 2007 Aug; 130(3):235-248. Kayser V, Elfassi IE, Aubel B, Melfort M, Julius D, Gingrich JA, Hamon M, Bourgoin S. PMID: 17250964.
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TRP channel activation by reversible covalent modification. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Dec 19; 103(51):19564-8. Hinman A, Chuang HH, Bautista DM, Julius D. PMID: 17164327.
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The P2Y12 receptor regulates microglial activation by extracellular nucleotides. Nat Neurosci. 2006 Dec; 9(12):1512-9. Haynes SE, Hollopeter G, Yang G, Kurpius D, Dailey ME, Gan WB, Julius D. PMID: 17115040.
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Spider toxins activate the capsaicin receptor to produce inflammatory pain. Nature. 2006 Nov 09; 444(7116):208-12. Siemens J, Zhou S, Piskorowski R, Nikai T, Lumpkin EA, Basbaum AI, King D, Julius D. PMID: 17093448.
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Differential contribution of TRPV1 to thermal responses and tissue injury-induced sensitization of dorsal horn neurons in laminae I and V in the mouse. Pain. 2006 Dec 15; 126(1-3):184-97. Eckert WA, Julius D, Basbaum AI. PMID: 16945484.
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Coiled coils direct assembly of a cold-activated TRP channel. Neuron. 2006 Jul 20; 51(2):201-12. Tsuruda PR, Julius D, Minor DL. PMID: 16846855.
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Neuroanatomical evidence for segregation of nerve fibers conveying light touch and pain sensation in Eimer's organ of the mole. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Jun 13; 103(24):9339-44. Marasco PD, Tsuruda PR, Bautista DM, Julius D, Catania KC. PMID: 16751268.
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Toward better pain control. Sci Am. 2006 Jun; 294(6):60-7. Basbaum AI, Julius D. PMID: 16711361.
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TRPA1 mediates the inflammatory actions of environmental irritants and proalgesic agents. Cell. 2006 Mar 24; 124(6):1269-82. Bautista DM, Jordt SE, Nikai T, Tsuruda PR, Read AJ, Poblete J, Yamoah EN, Basbaum AI, Julius D. PMID: 16564016.
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International Union of Pharmacology. XLIX. Nomenclature and structure-function relationships of transient receptor potential channels. Pharmacol Rev. 2005 Dec; 57(4):427-50. Clapham DE, Julius D, Montell C, Schultz G. PMID: 16382100.
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A neuropeptide courier for delta-opioid receptors? Cell. 2005 Aug 26; 122(4):496-8. Julius D, Basbaum AI. PMID: 16122418.
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Pungent products from garlic activate the sensory ion channel TRPA1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Aug 23; 102(34):12248-52. Bautista DM, Movahed P, Hinman A, Axelsson HE, Sterner O, Högestätt ED, Julius D, Jordt SE, Zygmunt PM. PMID: 16103371.
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Selective blockade of the capsaicin receptor TRPV1 attenuates bone cancer pain. J Neurosci. 2005 Mar 23; 25(12):3126-31. Ghilardi JR, Röhrich H, Lindsay TH, Sevcik MA, Schwei MJ, Kubota K, Halvorson KG, Poblete J, Chaplan SR, Dubin AE, Carruthers NI, Swanson D, Kuskowski M, Flores CM, Julius D, Mantyh PW. PMID: 15788769.
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From peppers to peppermints: natural products as probes of the pain pathway. Harvey Lect. 2005-2006; 101:89-115. Julius D. PMID: 18030977.
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A Nobel for smell. Cell. 2004 Dec 17; 119(6):747-52. Julius D, Katz LC. PMID: 15607972.
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The super-cooling agent icilin reveals a mechanism of coincidence detection by a temperature-sensitive TRP channel. Neuron. 2004 Sep 16; 43(6):859-69. Chuang HH, Neuhausser WM, Julius D. PMID: 15363396.
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Uropathic observations in mice expressing a constitutively active point mutation in the 5-HT3A receptor subunit. J Neurosci. 2004 Jun 16; 24(24):5537-48. Bhattacharya A, Dang H, Zhu QM, Schnegelsberg B, Rozengurt N, Cain G, Prantil R, Vorp DA, Guy N, Julius D, Ford AP, Lester HA, Cockayne DA. PMID: 15201326.
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Changes in anxiety-related behaviors and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity in mice lacking the 5-HT-3A receptor. Physiol Behav. 2004 Jun; 81(4):545-55. Bhatnagar S, Sun LM, Raber J, Maren S, Julius D, Dallman MF. PMID: 15178147.
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Co-localization of endomorphin-2 and substance P in primary afferent nociceptors and effects of injury: a light and electron microscopic study in the rat. Eur J Neurosci. 2004 Apr; 19(7):1789-99. Sanderson Nydahl K, Skinner K, Julius D, Basbaum AI. PMID: 15078552.
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Immunoreactive TRPV-2 (VRL-1), a capsaicin receptor homolog, in the spinal cord of the rat. J Comp Neurol. 2004 Mar 15; 470(4):400-8. Lewinter RD, Skinner K, Julius D, Basbaum AI. PMID: 14961565.
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Mustard oils and cannabinoids excite sensory nerve fibres through the TRP channel ANKTM1. Nature. 2004 Jan 15; 427(6971):260-5. Jordt SE, Bautista DM, Chuang HH, McKemy DD, Zygmunt PM, Högestätt ED, Meng ID, Julius D. PMID: 14712238.
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International Union of Pharmacology. XLIII. Compendium of voltage-gated ion channels: transient receptor potential channels. Pharmacol Rev. 2003 Dec; 55(4):591-6. Clapham DE, Montell C, Schultz G, Julius D. PMID: 14657417.
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Lessons from peppers and peppermint: the molecular logic of thermosensation. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2003 Aug; 13(4):487-92. Jordt SE, McKemy DD, Julius D. PMID: 12965298.
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A modular PIP2 binding site as a determinant of capsaicin receptor sensitivity. Science. 2003 May 23; 300(5623):1284-8. Prescott ED, Julius D. PMID: 12764195.
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Identification of a cold receptor reveals a general role for TRP channels in thermosensation. Nature. 2002 Mar 07; 416(6876):52-8. McKemy DD, Neuhausser WM, Julius D. PMID: 11882888.
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Molecular basis for species-specific sensitivity to "hot" chili peppers. Cell. 2002 Feb 08; 108(3):421-30. Jordt SE, Julius D. PMID: 11853675.
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The 5-HT3 subtype of serotonin receptor contributes to nociceptive processing via a novel subset of myelinated and unmyelinated nociceptors. J Neurosci. 2002 Feb 01; 22(3):1010-9. Zeitz KP, Guy N, Malmberg AB, Dirajlal S, Martin WJ, Sun L, Bonhaus DW, Stucky CL, Julius D, Basbaum AI. PMID: 11826129.
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A unified nomenclature for the superfamily of TRP cation channels. Mol Cell. 2002 Feb; 9(2):229-31. Montell C, Birnbaumer L, Flockerzi V, Bindels RJ, Bruford EA, Caterina MJ, Clapham DE, Harteneck C, Heller S, Julius D, Kojima I, Mori Y, Penner R, Prawitt D, Scharenberg AM, Schultz G, Shimizu N, Zhu MX. PMID: 11864597.
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Molecular mechanisms of nociception. Nature. 2001 Sep 13; 413(6852):203-10. Julius D, Basbaum AI. PMID: 11557989.
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ATP transduces signals from ASGM1, a glycolipid that functions as a bacterial receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 Jul 31; 98(16):9086-91. McNamara N, Khong A, McKemy D, Caterina M, Boyer J, Julius D, Basbaum C. PMID: 11481474.
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Bradykinin and nerve growth factor release the capsaicin receptor from PtdIns(4,5)P2-mediated inhibition. Nature. 2001 Jun 21; 411(6840):957-62. Chuang HH, Prescott ED, Kong H, Shields S, Jordt SE, Basbaum AI, Chao MV, Julius D. PMID: 11418861.
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Identification of the platelet ADP receptor targeted by antithrombotic drugs. Nature. 2001 Jan 11; 409(6817):202-7. Hollopeter G, Jantzen HM, Vincent D, Li G, England L, Ramakrishnan V, Yang RB, Nurden P, Nurden A, Julius D, Conley PB. PMID: 11196645.
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The vanilloid receptor: a molecular gateway to the pain pathway. Annu Rev Neurosci. 2001; 24:487-517. Caterina MJ, Julius D. PMID: 11283319.
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Acid potentiation of the capsaicin receptor determined by a key extracellular site. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000 Jul 05; 97(14):8134-9. Jordt SE, Tominaga M, Julius D. PMID: 10859346.
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Capsaicin receptor in the pain pathway. Jpn J Pharmacol. 2000 May; 83(1):20-4. Tominaga M, Julius D. PMID: 10887936.
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Impaired nociception and pain sensation in mice lacking the capsaicin receptor. Science. 2000 Apr 14; 288(5464):306-13. Caterina MJ, Leffler A, Malmberg AB, Martin WJ, Trafton J, Petersen-Zeitz KR, Koltzenburg M, Basbaum AI, Julius D. PMID: 10764638.
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Sense and specificity: a molecular identity for nociceptors. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 1999 Oct; 9(5):525-30. Caterina MJ, Julius D. PMID: 10508737.
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Unsaturated long-chain N-acyl-vanillyl-amides (N-AVAMs): vanilloid receptor ligands that inhibit anandamide-facilitated transport and bind to CB1 cannabinoid receptors. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1999 Aug 19; 262(1):275-84. Melck D, Bisogno T, De Petrocellis L, Chuang H, Julius D, Bifulco M, Di Marzo V. PMID: 10448105.
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Vanilloid receptors on sensory nerves mediate the vasodilator action of anandamide. Nature. 1999 Jul 29; 400(6743):452-7. Zygmunt PM, Petersson J, Andersson DA, Chuang H, Sørgård M, Di Marzo V, Julius D, Högestätt ED. PMID: 10440374.
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A capsaicin-receptor homologue with a high threshold for noxious heat. Nature. 1999 Apr 01; 398(6726):436-41. Caterina MJ, Rosen TA, Tominaga M, Brake AJ, Julius D. PMID: 10201375.
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Serotonin receptor knockouts: a moody subject. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998 Dec 22; 95(26):15153-4. Julius D. PMID: 9860934.
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The cloned capsaicin receptor integrates multiple pain-producing stimuli. Neuron. 1998 Sep; 21(3):531-43. Tominaga M, Caterina MJ, Malmberg AB, Rosen TA, Gilbert H, Skinner K, Raumann BE, Basbaum AI, Julius D. PMID: 9768840.
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Neuronal expression of the 5HT3 serotonin receptor gene requires nuclear factor 1 complexes. J Neurosci. 1998 Aug 15; 18(16):6186-94. Bedford FK, Julius D, Ingraham HA. PMID: 9698312.
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Inactivation of a serotonin-gated ion channel by a polypeptide toxin from marine snails. Science. 1998 Jul 24; 281(5376):575-8. England LJ, Imperial J, Jacobsen R, Craig AG, Gulyas J, Akhtar M, Rivier J, Julius D, Olivera BM. PMID: 9677203.
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The capsaicin receptor: a heat-activated ion channel in the pain pathway. Nature. 1997 Oct 23; 389(6653):816-24. Caterina MJ, Schumacher MA, Tominaga M, Rosen TA, Levine JD, Julius D. PMID: 9349813.
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ATP receptors in sickness, pain and death. Chem Biol. 1996 Apr; 3(4):229-32. Brake A, Schumacher M, Julius D. PMID: 8807849.
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Signaling by extracellular nucleotides. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 1996; 12:519-41. Brake AJ, Julius D. PMID: 8970736.
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Pharmacology. Home for an orphan endorphin. Nature. 1995 Oct 12; 377(6549):476. Julius D. PMID: 7566139.
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Eating disorder and epilepsy in mice lacking 5-HT2c serotonin receptors. Nature. 1995 Apr 06; 374(6522):542-6. Tecott LH, Sun LM, Akana SF, Strack AM, Lowenstein DH, Dallman MF, Julius D. PMID: 7700379.
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Expression of a serotonin-gated ion channel in embryonic neural and nonneural tissues. Mol Cell Neurosci. 1995 Feb; 6(1):43-55. Tecott L, Shtrom S, Julius D. PMID: 7541286.
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New structural motif for ligand-gated ion channels defined by an ionotropic ATP receptor. Nature. 1994 Oct 06; 371(6497):519-23. Brake AJ, Wagenbach MJ, Julius D. PMID: 7523952.
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Expression cloning of an ATP receptor from mouse neuroblastoma cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1993 Jun 01; 90(11):5113-7. Lustig KD, Shiau AK, Brake AJ, Julius D. PMID: 7685114.
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A new wave of serotonin receptors. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 1993 Jun; 3(3):310-5. Tecott LH, Julius D. PMID: 8369625.
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Substitution of three amino acids switches receptor specificity of Gq alpha to that of Gi alpha. Nature. 1993 May 20; 363(6426):274-6. Conklin BR, Farfel Z, Lustig KD, Julius D, Bourne HR. PMID: 8387644.
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Nervous system distribution of the serotonin 5-HT3 receptor mRNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1993 Feb 15; 90(4):1430-4. Tecott LH, Maricq AV, Julius D. PMID: 8434003.
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Serotonin receptor 1c gene assigned to X chromosome in human (band q24) and mouse (bands D-F4). Hum Mol Genet. 1992 Dec; 1(9):681-4. Milatovich A, Hsieh CL, Bonaminio G, Tecott L, Julius D, Francke U. PMID: 1302605.
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Effects of 5-HT1C-receptor expression on cell proliferation control in hamster fibroblasts: serotonin fails to induce a transformed phenotype. Exp Cell Res. 1992 Jun; 200(2):523-7. Kahan C, Julius D, Pouysségur J, Seuwen K. PMID: 1315291.
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Primary structure and functional expression of the 5HT3 receptor, a serotonin-gated ion channel. Science. 1991 Oct 18; 254(5030):432-7. Maricq AV, Peterson AS, Brake AJ, Myers RM, Julius D. PMID: 1718042.
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Molecular biology of serotonin receptors. Annu Rev Neurosci. 1991; 14:335-60. Julius D. PMID: 2031574.
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The serotonin receptor subtype 2 locus HTR2 is on human chromosome 13 near genes for esterase D and retinoblastoma-1 and on mouse chromosome 14. Somat Cell Mol Genet. 1990 Nov; 16(6):567-74. Hsieh CL, Bowcock AM, Farrer LA, Hebert JM, Huang KN, Cavalli-Sforza LL, Julius D, Francke U. PMID: 1980030.
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The 5HT2 receptor defines a family of structurally distinct but functionally conserved serotonin receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1990 Feb; 87(3):928-32. Julius D, Huang KN, Livelli TJ, Axel R, Jessell TM. PMID: 2300586.
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5-HT1c receptor is a prominent serotonin receptor subtype in the central nervous system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1989 Sep; 86(17):6793-7. Molineaux SM, Jessell TM, Axel R, Julius D. PMID: 2771958.
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Ectopic expression of the serotonin 1c receptor and the triggering of malignant transformation. Science. 1989 Jun 02; 244(4908):1057-62. Julius D, Livelli TJ, Jessell TM, Axel R. PMID: 2727693.
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Molecular characterization of a functional cDNA encoding the serotonin 1c receptor. Science. 1988 Jul 29; 241(4865):558-64. Julius D, MacDermott AB, Axel R, Jessell TM. PMID: 3399891.
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Functional expression of the 5-HT1c receptor in neuronal and nonneuronal cells. Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol. 1988; 53 Pt 1:385-93. Julius D, MacDermott AB, Jessel TM, Huang K, Molineaux S, Schieren I, Axel R. PMID: 3254776.
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Isolation of the putative structural gene for the lysine-arginine-cleaving endopeptidase required for processing of yeast prepro-alpha-factor. Cell. 1984 Jul; 37(3):1075-89. Julius D, Brake A, Blair L, Kunisawa R, Thorner J. PMID: 6430565.
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Glycosylation and processing of prepro-alpha-factor through the yeast secretory pathway. Cell. 1984 Feb; 36(2):309-18. Julius D, Schekman R, Thorner J. PMID: 6420074.
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A functional prepro-alpha-factor gene in Saccharomyces yeasts can contain three, four, or five repeats of the mature pheromone sequence. Mol Cell Biol. 1983 Aug; 3(8):1440-50. Brake AJ, Julius DJ, Thorner J. PMID: 6353204.
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Yeast alpha factor is processed from a larger precursor polypeptide: the essential role of a membrane-bound dipeptidyl aminopeptidase. Cell. 1983 Mar; 32(3):839-52. Julius D, Blair L, Brake A, Sprague G, Thorner J. PMID: 6339075.
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Isomeric specificity of aminoacylation of wheat germ transfer ribonucleic acid and the specificity of interaction of elongation factor Tu with aminoacyl transfer ribonucleic acid. Biochemistry. 1979 Feb 20; 18(4):604-9. Julius DJ, Fraser TH, Rich A. PMID: 217420.
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Determination of aminoacylation isomeric specificity using tRNA terminating in 3'-amino-3'-deoxyadenosine and 2'-amino-2'-deoxyadenosine. Methods Enzymol. 1979; 59:272-82. Fraser TH, Julius DJ, Rich A. PMID: 374942.
David Julius earned his undergraduate degree in Life Sciences from Massachusetts Institute of Technology before pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry at University of California, Berkeley. He completed subsequent postdoctoral research at Colombia University before joining the department of Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology as an Assistant Professor at UCSF. David Julius now serves as the Chair for the Department of Physiology.
Dr. Julius is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as well as the National Academy of Science. He holds numerous awards including but not limited to the Prince of Asturias Award in Technical and Scientific Research, Passano Award, and a Shaw Prize in Life Sciences and Medicine.
Melinda Diver, Postdoctoral Scholar
Duncan Leitch, Postdoctoral Scholar
Wendy Yue, Postdoctoral Scholar
Ryan Morrie, Postdoctoral Scholar
Laura Seeholzer, Postdoctoral Scholar
Lin Yuan, Postdoctoral Scholar
John King, Graduate Student
Jeannie Poblete, Staff Research Associate
Laura Wise, Executive Assistant