Eric Villalón Landeros, PhD

Title/s:  <p>Assistant Professor</p> <p>Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience</p>

Office #:  Bldg 115 Room 418

Email: evillalon@luc.edu

External Webpage:

Assistant Professor

Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience

Research Interests

Optimal development and function of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) requires balanced intracellular protein synthesis and proteasome-dependent protein degradation. Indeed, inhibiting proteasome function in vivo using global proteasome inhibitors, such as those used for cancer treatments, results in development of painful peripheral neuropathy that manifests in severe neuropathic pain, numbness, tingling, and itch sensation. Despite extensive studies, the precise nature and function of proteasomes in PNS biology is not well understood. In 2024 we discovered a unique 20S proteasome that localizes to the membrane of a subpopulation of somatosensory neurons in the PNS. This is the Neuronal Membrane Proteasome (NMP). We found that this NMP modulates the function of sensory neurons, through non-cell autonomous signaling mechanisms, important for sensation of pain and itch.

The focus of the Villalón Landeros Laboratory is to use biochemical, behavioral, cell & molecular, physiological, and proteomic approaches in combination with mouse models and pharmacology to understand and delineate the NMP-dependent mechanisms that modulate PNS somatosensory neuron function in health and disease. Our current focus is:

These are initial steps towards our long-term goal of understanding the biology of the NMP in the PNS. Our findings of the NMP-dependent sensory neuron modulation pathways are crucial to better understand the mechanisms that control pain and itch sensation in health and disease. We hope to leverage our findings to develop novel treatment approaches for neuropathic pain and itch conditions.

Selected Publications