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. | |
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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.
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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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High intra-tumoral and serum matrix metalloproteinase 9 levels are associated with reduced survival of patients with glioblastoma and brain metastases
Kaisman-Elbaz, T., Haddad-Shlaifshtein, S., Eskira, Y., Merkin, V., Dumanis, G., Turiel, S., Atar-Vardi, M., Bari, R., Alt, A., Zamed, T., Rotem-Dai, N., Lavrenkov, K., Kezerle, Y., Dyomin, V., Razon, R., Chakraborty, M., Asraf, H., Hershfinkel, M. & Melamed, I., 1 Jan 2026, In: Frontiers in Oncology. 15, 1577492.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2025/26: Transporters
Alexander, S. P. H., Gibb, A. J., Kelly, E., Mathie, A. A., Peach, C. J., Veale, E. L., Armstrong, J. F., Faccenda, E., Harding, S. D., Southan, C., Davies, J. A., Amarosi, L., Anderson, C. M. H., Beart, P. M., Broer, S., Dawson, P. A., Gyimesi, G., Hagenbuch, B., Hammond, J. R. & Hancox, J. C. & 9 others, , 1 Dec 2025, In: British Journal of Pharmacology. 182, S1, p. S404-S496Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
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.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access3 Scopus citations -
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.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access15 Scopus citations -
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.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Scopus citations -
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.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access4 Scopus citations -
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.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access8 Scopus citations -
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2023/24: Transporters
Alexander, S. P. H., Fabbro, D., Kelly, E., Mathie, A. A., Peters, J. A., Veale, E. L., Armstrong, J. F., Faccenda, E., Harding, S. D., Davies, J. A., Amarosi, L., Anderson, C. M. H., Beart, P. M., Broer, S., Dawson, P. A., Gyimesi, G., Hagenbuch, B., Hammond, J. R., Hancox, J. C. & Hershfinkel, M. & 8 others, , 1 Oct 2023, In: British Journal of Pharmacology. 180, S2, p. S374-S469Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access151 Scopus citations -
CKII Control of Axonal Plasticity Is Mediated by Mitochondrial Ca2+ via Mitochondrial NCLX
Katoshevski, T., Bar, L., Tikochinsky, E., Harel, S., Ben-Kasus Nissim, T., Bogeski, I., Hershfinkel, M., Attali, B. & Sekler, I., 1 Dec 2022, In: Cells. 11, 24, 3990.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Scopus citations -
Essential role of the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger NCLX in mediating PDE2-dependent neuronal survival and learning
Rozenfeld, M., Azoulay, I. S., Ben Kasus Nissim, T., Stavsky, A., Melamed, M., Stutzmann, G., Hershfinkel, M., Kofman, O. & Sekler, I., 6 Dec 2022, In: Cell Reports. 41, 10, 111772.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access15 Scopus citations
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A ZIP3/ZnT1-mediated zinc cycle is essential for synaptic zinc regulation of NMDA receptors
Hershfinkel, M. (PI), Aizenman, E. (CoPI) & Tzounopoulos, T. (CoPI)
United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF)
1/01/23 → …
Project: Research
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Zinc homeostasis and cortical responses to sound
Hershfinkel, M. (PI), Aizenman, E. (CoPI) & Tzounopoulos, T. (CoPI)
United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF)
1/01/16 → …
Project: Research
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The role of zinc ions in biology: cellular mechanisms, physiological importance and clinical implication.
Hershfinkel, M. (PI), Silverman, Z. (CoPI) & Sekler, I. (CoPI)
1/01/09 → …
Project: Research
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The zinc receptor, ZnR/GPR39: a regulator of salivary gland function
Hershfinkel, M. (PI)
1/01/20 → 31/12/24
Project: Research
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The role of the Zn sensing receptor, ZnR, in regulation of intestinal ion transport and barrier function
Hershfinkel, M. (PI)
1/01/14 → 31/12/18
Project: Research
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The role of the zinc sensing receptor in mediating cell growth and ion transport in epithelial cells
Hershfinkel, M. (PI)
1/01/05 → 31/12/08
Project: Research