Personal profile
Research interests
| The Hershfinkel laboratory is investigating the pathways that are activated by zinc to mediate physiological functions. Zinc is an essential micronutrient and plays a central role in the function of the skin, nervous and digestive systems.As many as 24 zinc transporters are involved in maintaining the cellular levels of zinc, and transport this metal ion across cellular and organellar membranes. | |
| Our lab identified a distinct zinc sensing receptor, ZnR/GPR39, that upon changes in extracellular zinc levels triggers major signaling pathways in epithelial cells and neurons. We focus on revealing the physiological roles of ZnR/GPR39. As many as 24 zinc transporters are involved in maintaining the cellular levels of zinc, and transport this metal ion across cellular and organellar membranes. Our lab identified a distinct zinc sensing receptor, ZnR/GPR39, that upon changes in extracellular zinc levels triggers major signaling pathways in epithelial cells and neurons. We focus on revealing the physiological roles of ZnR/GPR39. Using molecular biology, biochemistry and live cell imaging techniques we study how zinc ions are transported into the cell, which signaling pathways they activate, and how they regulate important ion transporters to control cell survival, as well as water absorption in the digestive system, salivary gland secretion and seizure. | |
Keywords
- QP Physiology
- Zinc biology
- Zinc signaling
- Calcium signaling
- Cancer
- Neuroscience
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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The zinc receptor, ZnR/GPR39, modulates taste sensitivity by regulating ion secretion in mouse salivary gland
Melamed, M., Asraf, H., Livne, N., Bogdanovic, M., Shendge, A., Shamir, G., Mero, M., Adir, O., Schroeder, A., Sekler, I. & Hershfinkel, M., 21 Feb 2025, In: iScience. 28, 2, 111912.Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Cross-talk between zinc and calcium regulates ion transport: A role for the zinc receptor, ZnR/GPR39
Hershfinkel, M., 15 Apr 2024, In: Journal of Physiology. 602, 8, p. 1579-1594 16 p.Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
Loss of the zinc receptor ZnR/GPR39 in mice enhances anxiety-related behavior and motor deficits, and modulates KCC2 expression in the amygdala
Sagi, R., Chakraborty, M., Bogdanovic, M., Asraf, H., Sekler, I., Kofman, O., Cohen, H. & Hershfinkel, M., 1 Dec 2024, In: Behavioral and Brain Functions. 20, 1, 31.Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Bar-Ilan University
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
NCLX controls hepatic mitochondrial Ca2+ extrusion and couples hormone-mediated mitochondrial Ca2+ oscillations with gluconeogenesis
Taha, M., Assali, E. A., Ben-Kasus Nissim, T., Stutzmann, G. E., Shirihai, O. S., Hershfinkel, M. & Sekler, I., 1 Sep 2024, In: Molecular Metabolism. 87, 101982.Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
ZnR/GPR39 regulates hepatic insulin signaling, tunes liver bioenergetics and ROS production, and mitigates liver fibrosis and injury
Shendge, A. K., Sekler, I. & Hershfinkel, M., 1 Dec 2024, In: Redox Biology. 78, 103403.Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access