Ca2+ channel targeting in neuroendocrine cells

神经内分泌细胞中的 Ca2 通道靶向

• 批准号: 238708-2009
• 负责人: Fisher, Thomas
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: University of Saskatchewan
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2013-01-01 至 2014-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=524420
• 关键词: Ca2+; channel; targeting; neuroendocrine; cells

Cells in the body communicate with one another by releasing chemicals that can excite or inhibit other cells. This communication can be very fast, as with the release of neurotransmitters from neurons in the brain, or it can be relatively slow, as with the release of hormones from neuroendocrine cells into the blood stream. Both types of release depend on the influx of calcium ions through pores or "channels" in the cell membrane. The function of calcium channels is therefore critical for intercellular communication. Specific mechanisms have evolved to send calcium channels to specific locations to perform their functions. We have found a new variant of a calcium channel in two types of neuroendocrine cells. This difference in channel structure may help to explain why release of neurotransmitters from neurons is fast, while release of neurohormones from neuroendocrine cells is relatively slow. We propose to do experiments to determine whether this calcium channel variant is found in other types of neuroendocrine cells and whether it is also found in neurons. We also propose to try to determine how this difference in structure changes the way the calcium channel variant works with the machinery that causes the release of chemical messengers. Our proposed experiments will therefore help us to understand the mechanisms by which cells release neurotransmitters and hormones.

体内的细胞通过释放可以刺激或抑制其他细胞的化学物质来相互交流。 这种交流可以非常快，就像大脑神经元释放神经递质一样，也可以相对缓慢，就像神经内分泌细胞释放激素进入血液一样。 这两种类型的释放都依赖于钙离子通过细胞膜中的孔或“通道”的流入。 因此，钙通道的功能对于细胞间通讯至关重要。特定的机制已经发展到将钙通道发送到特定位置以执行其功能。 我们在两种类型的神经内分泌细胞中发现了一种新的钙通道变体。 这种通道结构的差异可能有助于解释为什么神经元释放神经递质的速度很快，而神经内分泌细胞释放神经激素的速度相对较慢。 我们建议做实验来确定这种钙通道变体是否在其他类型的神经内分泌细胞中发现，以及是否也在神经元中发现。 我们还建议尝试确定这种结构上的差异如何改变钙通道变体与导致化学信使释放的机制的工作方式。 因此，我们提出的实验将有助于我们了解细胞释放神经递质和激素的机制。