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 eurotransmitters, hormones, and pharmacologic agents act by binding specific
receptors on the cell surface. We are interested in how a receptor initiates
intracellular events such as the opening of ion channels, the activation of enzymes,
or the release of intracellular calcium; and the structures, functions, and relations
or receptors, G proteins, ion channels, and calcium. Our research focuses on the
elucidation of signal pathways involving cardiac effector and receptor molecules.
Housed in the Cardiology Department of Children's Hospital, Boston, recent studies
examine the role of ion channels, G-protein linked receptors, and intracellular
calcium signalling in cardiac dysfunction.
Molecules in the cell membrane that relay hormonal and neurotransmitter signals
bind to receptors on the cell surface (M2, M3) that initiate signalling
cascades involving TRP or potassium channels, or calcium release. M2: Muscarinic
type 2 acetylcholine (ACh) receptor. M3: Muscarinic type 3 ACh receptor. G: G protein.
GIRK: G protein gated inward rectifier channel subunit. PLC: phospholipase C or
PIP2 phosphodiesterase. InsP3:
Inositol (1,4,5) triphosphate. GTP: guanosine triphosphate. GDP: guanosine diphosphate.
DAG: diacylglycerol. TRP: transient receptor potential channel. K+: potassium
selective channel. IP3R: InsP3 receptor.
SERCA: smooth endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase pump. + indicates stimulatory regulation.
- indicates inhibition.
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