G-protein coupled receptor-mediated calcium signalling in parasympathetic neurons

外部化学刺激作用于神经元的特定细胞表面受体，导致细胞内钙离子浓度的增加，钙离子作为第二信使改变神经元的兴奋性。然而，有许多受体通过一些密切相关的蛋白质参与复杂的细胞内信号通路，这些蛋白质仍然知之甚少。该项目利用分子、电和荧光技术，通过识别单个蛋白质在整合各种细胞外刺激和周围神经系统神经元兴奋性中所起的作用，阐明这些相互作用的分子基础。

External chemical stimuli act on specific cell-surface receptors of neurons resulting in an increase in the intracellular calcium ion concentration which acts as a second messenger to alter neuronal excitability. There are, however, many receptors acting through a number of closely related proteins involving complex intracellular signalling pathways which remain poorly understood. This project uses molecular, electrical and fluorescence techniques to elucidate the molecular basis for these interactions by identifying the roles individual proteins play in integrating diverse extracellular stimuli and neuronal excitablility in the peripheral nervous system.