The regulation of cellular excitability by ion channels
and calcium signaling during mammalian fertilization and
neuronal rhythm generation.
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DESCRIPTION
OF RESEARCH
A recent focus of the lab is to study the molecular mechanism of
neuronal excitability control by extracelular ions (with emphasis on Ca2+ and Na+)
and peptide neurotransmitters. Significant changes in extracellular Ca2+
concentrations ([Ca2+]e) can happen in certain brain areas during physiological
and pathological conditions such as seizures and brain ischemia. Unlike Na+
and K+, extracellular Ca2+ generally controls neuronal excitability in a
"negative" manner: decrease in [Ca2+]e normally excites neurons and increase in
[Ca2+]e suppresses neurons. We are interested in understanding at the molecular
level how neurons sense the [Ca2+]e changes, how the information is transmitted
to the intracellular second messenger system, and how neuronal circuit function
is affected. Numerous neuropeptides are used by the nervous systems as chemical
signals to regulate physiological processes such as feeding, rewarding, pain sensation,
arousal and wakefulness. We are interested in how several neuropeptides influence the
electrical properties of individual neurons in various brain regions and spinal cord.
Another area of research in the lab concerns rhythm generation. All animals display
long-period rhythmic behaviors such as circadian rhythm (~ 24 hours), as well as ones
with shorter periods such as locomotion, heart beating, and breathing (milliseconds to
seconds). We are interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation and
modulation of the "short-period" rhythms
RECENT
PUBLICATIONS
Lu, B., Su, Y., Das, S., Xia, J., Liu, J. and Ren,
D. (2007) The neuronal NALCN channel contributes
resting sodium permeability and is required for normal
respiratory rhythm Cell 129: 371-378.
Liu, J., Xia, J., Cho, K-H., Clapham, D.E. and Ren,
D. (2007) CatSperBeta: a novel transmembrane
protein in the CATSPER channel complex. J. Biol. Chem.
282: 18945-18952.
Ren, D., Navarro, B., Perez, G., Jackson,
A.C., Hsu, S., Shi, Q., Tilly, J.L. and Clapham, D.E.
(2001) A sperm ion channel required for sperm motility
and male fertility. Nature 413: 603-609.
Ren, D., Navarro, B., Xu, H., Yue, L.,
Shi, Q. and Clapham, D.E. (2001) A prokaryotic voltage-gated
sodium channel. Science 294: 2372-2375
Lab
ROTATION
PROJECTS
* Mutagenesis and structural studies of ion channel selectivity
* Cell biology of ion channel protein targeting
* Excitatory action of neuropeptides in hippocampus and other brain regions
* Rhythm generation in brainstem, spinal cord, and heart
* Calcium and electrical signaling in sperm-egg interaction
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last updated 7/2007
