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The role of calcium and voltage- and calcium-gated potassium channels in TSE-related apoptotic cell death

ReferenceBS410554
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Nikki Macleod
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Professor Alun Williams
Institution University of Edinburgh
DepartmentBiomedical Sciences
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 233,014
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 01/05/1999
End date 01/05/2002
Duration36 months

Abstract

We have recently demonstrated a link between increased excitability and the disruption of voltage-gated and calcium-gated potassium channel function in hippocampal neurones from ME7 scrapie-infected mice. It seems likely from this observation that impaired potassium channel function maybe the trigger for the cascade of events leading to elevated intracellular calcium and apoptotic cell death in these diseases. This hypothesis will be tested in detail using a combination of voltage clamp, cellular imaging, electron and confocal microscopy in hippocampal neurones from scrapie infected mice and by the application of PrP fragments and apoptosis inducing agents to acute preparations of non-infected cells in culture and in brain slices.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative Biology of Spongiform Encephalopathies - Phase 4 (BS4) [1998]
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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