Modulation of Calcium Channels in Neurons

神经细胞通过称为神经递质和神经激素的化学信号相互交流。到达神经末梢的电脉冲释放出少量局部作用的神经递质或远距离作用的大量神经激素；两者都能刺激邻近神经细胞的电活动。这些化学信号的释放取决于钙短暂进入神经末梢，这一过程受到“钙通道”的高度调节。少量的钙进入是为了释放神经递质，而更大更长的钙进入是释放激素所必需的。这些差异在很大程度上是由不同钙通道性质的变化所决定的。亚当斯博士和他的同事们正在利用电生理学和药理学的结合，努力确定从运动神经元到神经内分泌细胞等不同类型神经细胞中钙通道的特性。钙通道的打开和关闭动力学以及它们对不同药物和毒素的敏感性将被用来将它们分类并将它们与神经细胞的不同功能联系起来。这些研究的潜在应用是开发药物和害虫防治剂。

9511020 Adams Nerve cells communicate with each other by means of chemical signals called neurotransmitters and neurohormones. The arrival of electrical impulses at nerve endings release tiny amounts of neurotransmitters acting locally or much larger amounts of neurohormones acting at longer distances; both stimulate the electrical activity in neighboring nerve cells. The release of these chemical signals depends on the brief entry of calcium to nerve terminals, a process that is highly regulated by "calcium channels". Small amounts of calcium enter for neurotransmitter release, whereas larger and longer periods of calcium entry are necessary for the release of hormones. These differences are to a large extent dictated by variations in the properties of different calcium channels. Dr. Adams and his colleagues are working to define the properties of calcium channels in different types of nerve cells, ranging from motoneurons to neuroendocrine cells, using a combination of electrophysiology and pharmacology. The kinetics of calcium channel opening and closing as well as their sensitivities to different drugs and toxins will be used to classify them into different groups and to associated them with different functions in nerve cells. Potential applications of these studies are the development of pharmaceuticals and pest control agents.