The Linda & Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Science & The Program in Neuroscience are pleased to present a talk by Mark S. Shapiro, Ph.D., University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
"Regulation of and functional role of M-type (KCNQ) potassium channels in neurons"
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
4:00 p.m.
Psychological & Brain Sciences Building
Room PY 101
IUB
Abstract:
The M-type K+ current is made by the KCNQ (Kv7) family of subunits and is thought to play dominant roles in regulating membrane excitability of neurons, cardiomyocytes and smooth muscle. Originally named for its depression by stimulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in sympathetic neurons, later work has shown M channels to be a target of a number of different receptors linked to Gq/11-type G proteins and phospholipase C. Emerging as central to the modulation is a critical lipid messenger molecule, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), whose binding to M channels is thought to be necessary for their function. I will present our recent advances in understanding the molecular and structural mechanisms of PIP2-mediated modulation of these critical neuronal K+ channels. In addition, we are clarifying the functional role of KCNQ channels in regulation of action potential firing and release of neurotransmitter using a number of approaches, as well as seeking to further localize the channels to several different types of peripheral and central neurons, and to sub-cellular structures in those cells. Our work may lead to novel modes of therapeutic intervention for a wide spectrum of nervous system, cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders.
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