Regulation of Excitatory Synapses

Roger Colbran
Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
724 Robinson Research Building (MRB1)
615-936-1630 (office)
roger.colbran@vanderbilt.edu

Modulation of the synaptic glutamate receptors and synaptic morphology by postsynaptic phosphorylation/dephosphorylation plays a central role in normal earning and memory and is ofter disrupted in diseased states.  In particular, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) are known to play critical roles in long-term potentiation (LTP), long-term depression (LTD) and other forms of synaptic plasticity that underlie learning and memory.  This laboratory employs a broad array of approaches to investigate the molecular basis for synaptic regulation of CaMKII and PP1 and the physiological roles of these molecular mechanisms.  Disruptions of these mechanisms in diseased states such as Parkinson’s Disease and Angelman Syndrome are being uncovered, suggesting potential novel strategies to treat these devastating neurological disorders.

For more information, please visit the lab website.