Illuminating the expression of PLN in different mouse brain cell types

Illuminating the expression of PLN in different mouse brain cell types

Presenter(s)

Hayden Ott, Morgan Roach

Comments

1:40-2:00, Kennedy Union 207

Description

Calcium (Ca2+) is a versatile intracellular signaling molecule which participates in a variety of cellular processes throughout the cell life cycle. In neurons, Ca2+ signaling is crucial to neurotransmitter release and the development of dendritic spines. The sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) pump is a channel protein which facilitates Ca2+ reuptake into the sarco-/endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER). SERCA-dependent dysregulation of Ca2+ has been implicated in numerous disorders which affect cognition, such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Darier’s disease. Phospholamban (PLN) is a potent SERCA regulator, as reversible binding of PLN reduces SERCA’s affinity for Ca2+, thereby reducing SERCA-facilitated Ca2+ sequestration into the SR/ER. While the role of PLN as a SERCA-regulator has been well-defined in cardiac muscle, our lab has identified PLN expression selectively in the γ-aminobutyric (GABA)-ergic neurons of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). In the context of this honors thesis, we used a Percoll density gradient-based isolation protocol as well as fluorescent immunocytochemical staining processes to assess the putative expression of PLN protein in other cell types, including glial cells.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Pothitos Pitychoutis

Primary Advisor's Department

Biology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship

Illuminating the expression of PLN in different mouse brain cell types

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