ZFIN ID: ZDB-PERS-060727-2
González Nuñez, Veronica
Email: vgnunez@usal.es
URL: https://institutoneurociencias.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/formulario-actualizacic3b3n-datos-web-incyl_lab3_ip_vgn.pdf
Affiliation: Neurochemistry and Molecular Neuroscience
Address: INCyL (LAB 3). University of Salamanca, Spain c/ Pintor Fernando Gallego n. 1 Salamanca, 37007 Spain https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Veronica_Gonzalez-Nunez https://bit.ly/2Ft7Gph
Country: Spain
Phone: +34 923294400 ext. 5337 / 5301
Fax: +34 923294750
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9410-5510


BIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH INTERESTS
We have established an emergent research group, but with solid experience, scientific background and contrastable research results. Our line of research is focused on the analysis of the molecular mechanisms that regulate opioid activity, which is involved in pain modulation and in tolerance and dependence. At present, we have broaden our field of research towards the rewards the rewards pathway, mainly related to the opioid and dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems. We are analysing the in vivo effects of drug of abuse, and we are currently collaborating in the design of novel agents targetting the reward pathway. Our research model is the zebrafish, most of our assays are conducted with embryos and the obtained results are easily extrapolated to other vertebrates. We make use of a wide range of biochemical and Molecular Biology techniques, but we also use pharmacological and Cell Biology techniques. This approach allow us to analyze different levels of biological information: the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, proteome and metabolome. In addition to developing a basic line of research, we also collaborate with other scientists from diverse fields of knowlegde,as Medicinal Chemistry, Marine Biology, or even with Medical Doctor in Public Health from University of Salamanca. This multidisciplinary approach enables us to perform translational research with future applications in different research areas. We also spend on our lecturing and management duties, as well as in the transfer of knowledge. Finally, we actively take part in many activities for the Dissemination of Science.


PUBLICATIONS
Rosa, M., Gonzalez-Nunez, V., Barreto-Valer, K., Marcelo, F., Sánchez-Sánchez, J., Calle, L.P., Arévalo, J.C., Rodríguez, R.E., Jiménez-Barbero, J., Arsequell, G., Valencia, G. (2017) Role of the sugar moiety on the opioid receptor binding and conformation of a series of enkephalin neoglycopeptides. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry. 25(7):2260-2265
Jimenez-Gonzalez, A., García-Concejo, A., López-Benito, S., Gonzalez-Nunez, V., Arévalo, J.C., Rodriguez, R.E. (2016) Role of morphine, miR-212/132 and mu opioid receptor in the regulation of bdnf in zebrafish embryos. Biochimica et biophysica acta. General subjects. 1860(6):1308-16
Gonzalez-Nunez, V. (2015) Role of gabra2, GABAA receptor alpha-2 subunit, in CNS development.. Biochemistry and biophysics reports. 3:190-201
Gonzalez-Nunez, V., González, A.J., Barreto-Valer, K., and Rodríguez, R.E. (2013) In vivo regulation of the mu opioid receptor. Role of the endogenous opioid agents. Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.). 19:7-17
Arsequell, G., Rosa, M., Mayato, C., Dorta, R.L., Gonzalez-Nunez, V., Barreto-Valer, K., Marcelo, F., Calle, L.P., Vázquez, J.T., Rodríguez, R.E., Jiménez-Barbero, J., and Valencia, G. (2011) Synthesis, biological evaluation and structural characterization of novel glycopeptide analogues of nociceptin N/OFQ. Organic & biomolecular chemistry. 9(17):6133-42
Rivas-Boyero, A.A., Herrero-Turrion, M.J., Gonzalez-Nunez, V., Sanchez-Simon, F.M., Barreto-Valer, K., and Rodriguez, R.E. (2011) Pharmacological characterization of a nociceptin receptor from zebrafish (Danio rerio). Journal of molecular endocrinology. 46(2):111-123
Gonzalez-Nunez, V., Nocco, V., and Budd, A. (2010) Characterization of drCol 15a1b: A Novel Component of the Stem Cell Niche in the Zebrafish Retina. Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio). 28(8):1399-1411
Gonzalez-Nunez, V., and Rodríguez, R.E. (2009) The zebrafish: a model to study the endogenous mechanisms of pain. ILAR journal. 50(4):373-386
Gonzalez-Nuñez, V., Toth, G., and Rodríguez, R.E. (2007) Endogenous heptapeptide Met-enkephalin-Gly-Tyr binds differentially to duplicate delta opioid receptors from zebrafish. Peptides. 28(12):2340-2347
Gonzalez-Nunez, V., Marron Fernandez de Velasco, E., Arsequell, G., Valencia, G.,and Rodriguez, R.E. (2007) Identification of dynorphin a from zebrafish: a comparative study with mammalian dynorphin A. Neuroscience. 144(2):675-684
Pinal-Seoane, N., Martin, I.R., Gonzalez-Nunez, V., de Velasco, E.M., Alvarez, F.A., Sarmiento, R.G., and Rodriguez, R.E. (2006) Characterization of a new duplicate {delta}-opioid receptor from zebrafish. Journal of molecular endocrinology. 37(3):391-403
Alvarez, F.A., Rodriguez-Martin, I., Gonzalez-Nuñez, V., de Velasco, E.M., Gonzalez Sarmiento, R., and Rodriguez, R.E. (2006) New kappa opioid receptor from zebrafish Danio rerio. Neuroscience letters. 405(1-2):94-99
Gonzalez-Nuñez, V., Barrallo, A., Traynor, J.R., and Rodriguez, R.E. (2006) Characterization of Opioid-Binding Sites in Zebrafish Brain. The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics. 316(2):900-904
Gonzalez-Nuñez, V., Arsequell, G., Szemenyei, E., Toth, G., Valencia, G., and Rodriguez, R.E. (2005) Binding profile of the endogenous novel heptapeptide met-enkephalin-gly-tyr in zebrafish and rat brain. The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics. 314(2):862-867
Gonzalez-Nuñez, V., Gonzalez-Sarmiento, R., and Rodriguez, R.E. (2003) Identification of two proopiomelanocortin genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Brain research. Molecular brain research. 120(1):1-8
Gonzalez-Nuñez, V., Gonzalez-Sarmiento, R., and Rodriguez, R.E. (2003) Cloning and characterization of a full-length pronociceptin in zebrafish: evidence of the existence of two different nociceptin sequences in the same precursor. BBA Gene Structure and Expression. 1629(1-3):114-118
González Nuñez, V., González Sarmiento, R., and Rodriguez, R.E. (2003) Characterization of zebrafish proenkephalin reveals novel opioid sequences. Mol. Brain Res.. 114(1):31-39

NON-ZEBRAFISH PUBLICATIONS
Riesco M.F., Valcarce D.G., Martínez J.M., Martín I., Calderón-García A. A., Gonzalez-Nunez V., Robles V. Solea senegalensis male reproductive dysfunction: new insights on an unsolved question. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 2019 (in press)

Gonzalez-Nunez V., Rodriguez R.E. Book chapter: Cocaine and Transcription Factors. In: The Neuroscience of Cocaine: Mechanisms And Treatment. Editor. Victor R. Preedy. Ed. Academic Press, Elsevier. 2017 (16-05-2017). eBook ISBN: 9780128037928. Hardcover ISBN: 9780128037508

Gonzalez-Nuñez V., Noriega-Prieto J.A., Rodríguez RE. Morphine modulates cell proliferation through miR133b & miR128 in the neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease. 2014, 1842 (4): 566–572. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.01.003

Rivas Boyero A., Rodríguez Martín I., González Núñez V., Rodríguez R.E. Conceptos básicos de la estructura génica. Regulación de la expresión génica (spanish). Medicine - Programa de Formación Médica Continuada Acreditado (Ed. Elsevier Doyma. ISSN: 0304-5412) 2002, 8(82): 4385–4391. DOI: 10.1016/S0304-5412(02)70819-6