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• Prof. Emilio Carbone Tel. +39-011-6707786; Fax +39-011-6707708

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Lines of research

The group studies the role that cytoplasmic Ca++ and Ca++ channels play in the genesis of neurosecretory signals and in the development of some neuromuscular pathologies. For this purpose, Ca++ channel currents from neuronal and neurosecretory cells are measured using the patch-clamp technique in the “whole-cell”, “cell-attached”, “outside-out” and “perforated-patch” variants. The approach allows a detailed investigation of the kinetic properties, function and pharmacology of voltage-dependent Ca++ channels. Cell preparations most investigated in the past and presently include: mammalian sensory neurons, motoneurons, chromaffin cells, pancreatic beta cells and various clonal cell lines. All these cells express different densities of high- and low-threshold Ca++ channels that control their electrical activity, hormone and neurotransmitter secretion, cell plasticity and differentiation. The main research lines of interest are:

1. Autocrine modulation of high-threshold Ca++ channel induced by neurotransmitters and hormones release in peripheral neurons, chromaffin cells and clonal cell lines.
2. Regulation of high-threshold Ca++ channel function by second messengers (protein kinase C, phosphatases, etc.) in clonal cell lines and neurosecretory cells.
3. Role of Ca++ and Ca++ channels in the pathogenesis of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) and amiothrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
4. Pharmacological and functional characterization of the different Ca++ channel subtypes controlling the electrical and secretory activity of human pancreatic beta cells.
5. Development and study of computer kinetic models simulating the voltage-dependent modulation of neuronal Ca++ channels kinetics induced by intracellular G proteins.