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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 59m

Wow!

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 1d

Wow! Does it work for grant proposals too? Asking for a friend.

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 2d

Finally, beautiful cover art created by @ella-maru.bsky.social. The image wasn't selected as image cover by JBC, but I love it.

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 2d

Bonus: RNA editing of CaV1.3_43S also alters drug sensitivity—increasing responsiveness to DHP Ca²⁺ channel blockers.

⚡ Editing is not random—it can reshape both physiology and pharmacology.

#IonChannels #physiology #pharmacology #PrecisionMedicine

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 2d

Why does this matter?

Neurons expressing CaV1.3_43S are at risk of Ca²⁺ toxicity, e.g. in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and spinal cord injury.

RNA editing acts as a neuroprotective brake by dampening excessive Ca²⁺ influx.

#Parkinsons #Alzheimers #SpinalCordInjury #NeuroProtective

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 2d

Editing of CaV1.3_43S produces loss-of-function changes:

👉 ↓ current density

👉 ↑ activation threshold

👉 Depolarized current window

Together, this converts the “short” splice variants into “long-like” channels, reducing Ca²⁺ overload.

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 2d

CaV1.3 has long (CaV1.3L) and short (CaV1.3_43S) splice variants.

👉 We found that the short variant undergoes ~3x more RNA editing at its IQ domain (a crucial #calmodulin binding site in the C-terminus) than the long form.

This creates multiple edited isoforms with distinct channel properties.

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 2d

We uncover an unexpected synergy between RNA editing & alternative splicing in the CaV1.3 calcium channel. This mechanism fine-tunes neuronal Ca²⁺ entry & may protect against excitotoxicity.

#IonChannels #CalciumChannel #CACNA1D #ExcitoToxicity

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 2d

🚨 New paper alert! 🚨

Our paper entitled: "Synergy between RNA editing and alternative splicing modulates the biological properties of the voltage-gated calcium channel CaV1.3" is out now on Journal of Biological Chemistry!

www.jbc.org/article/S002...

#AlternativeSplicing #RNAediting

🧵 👇

Synergy between RNA editing and alternative splicing modulates the biological properties of the voltage-gated calcium channel CaV1.3

Alternative splicing and adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing are post-transcriptional mechanisms that promote proteomic diversity in the brain. The impact of RNA editing on brain physiology is u...

www.jbc.org

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 3d

#scientistswhocook: spaghetti with squid 🦑 (ink 🫟 included) in a white wine, garlic, butter and parsley sauce; pan seared swordfish with a side of grilled vegetables.

#spaghetti #squid #swordfish

Spaghetti with squid (black ink included).

Pan seared swordfish with grilled vegetables.

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 7d

Makes $100k/year but can't afford $800/month rent...? Even with child support something doesn't add up.

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 7d

Why did this man chose to be a father 4 times, when he clearly never wanted to be involved in taking care of his own kids?

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 9d

I just got my annual #FluShot 💉. Thanks to my employer, St. John's University, for organizing the Flu Clinic on campus every year.

#VaccinesWork
#VaccinesSaveLives

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 10d

#scientistswhocook: spaghetti with fish collar meat from salmon and red snapper, in a while wine, garlic, mascarpone, and parsley sauce.

#spaghetti #salmon #RedSnapper

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 10d

I listened to the article on the Nature podcast, Helen; Very timely. Too bad the scientifically unfounded claim that taking #acetaminophen #Tylenol during pregnancy is linked to autism came out just a few days later.

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 11d

I'm grateful that I live in a state where I can still get the #CovidVaccine If I so choose.

Shot number 7 for me 💉 since January 2021.

#VaccinesWork
#VaccinesSaveLives

Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 14d

The worst part, apart from the selfish sister, is the mom scolding OP for something she, the mom, is also not willing to do.

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 17d

She can trust that he will do the same thing next time. This is the amount of support she will get:

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 17d

Same.

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 19d

The husband is a sociopath. However, it sounds like they only dated for 6 months before getting married. Kinda short, I think?

Also, getting pregnant to make him "feel secure"...? What does that even mean?

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 22d

I just downloaded the audiobook 📖

Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 24d

He didn't panic. He made a conscious decision. He decided that her medical emergency was less important than his night out. That is not panicking; that is not caring about your partner.

She should dump him and all the friends who are minimizing what happened.

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 29d

This is why getting married and having kids when you are 20 is not a great idea.

Also, he resents her for having things easy (from his point of view), and yet it seems that he is not involved in anything kids-related. He should try to take care of the kids and the house just for 1 day.

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 29d

🤘 "Nova is the key to include the Z" 🤘

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Matteo Ruggiu, PhD @rnadoctor.bsky.social · 29d

She thinks that HE embarrassed her family...? Not her dad, belittling him in front of everyone? Make it make sense.

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