K+ Channels: Biophysical and Molecular Studies

神经细胞发出电信号，其频率是“莫尔斯电码”，通过这种电码，信息在整个神经系统中传递。决定神经元放电频率的关键是被称为钾通道的膜蛋白。钾离子通道在调节心脏节律性收缩方面也很重要。由该基金资助的研究调查了一种被称为A型的钾通道的分子组成，这在神经元和心脏细胞的放电速度的调节中尤为重要。这些a型钾离子通道通过在活跃和不活跃状态之间的周期性变化来调节放电频率。先前的研究表明，a型钾通道激活的周期性取决于与通道相互作用的小分子。该项目的目标是分离和表征这些a型钾通道的小组分，并确定编码它们的基因。研究结果有望显著增加对神经系统功能分子调控的理解。

9630832 Rudy Nerve cells fire electrical signals, whose frequency is the "Morse code" by which information is transmitted throughout the nervous system. Key in determining the firing frequency of neurons are membrane proteins known as potassium channels. Potassium channels are also important in the regulation of the rhythmic contraction of the heart. Research funded by this grant investigates the molecular composition of one type of potassium channel known as A- type, which is particularly important in the modulation of the firing tempo of neurons and heart cells. These A-type potassium channels regulate firing frequency by periodically changing between active and inactive states. Previous work has shown that the periodicity of activation of A-type potassium channels depends on small molecules that interact with the channel. The goal of this project is to isolate and characterize these small components of A-type potassium channels and identify the genes that encode them. Results from research is expected to significantly increase the understanding of the molecular regulation of nervous system function.