Rutgers University
Division of Life Sciences
Nelson Biological Labs
604 Allison Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8082

(732) 445-0422
FAX: (732) 445-5870

mplummer@rci.rutgers.edu

Laboratory Home Page

Voltage-dependent potentiation of the Lp calcium channel, Neurotrophin modulation of synaptic strength

Research in my laboratory has been directed toward understanding mechanisms that initiate and regulate changes in synaptic strength. Our recent work has focused on elucidating fundamental biophysical characteristics of membrane proteins that control an early event in the process: the influx of extracellular calcium into the interior of nerve cells. Rapid calcium entry in nerve cells is accomplished by proteins known as calcium channels, which can be opened to allow calcium passage. Calcium channels can be activated by electrical signals (changes in intracellular voltage) or by chemical ones (such as the neurotransmitter glutamate). By working with isolated neurons in tissue culture, we have recently identified a new type of voltage-gated calcium channel and a novel effect of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on the NMDA receptor. Future studies will involve expanding the functional context in which these proteins are examined, moving from isolated cells to the sophisticated neuronal assemblies found in brain slices. The ultimate goal that guides us will be to answer the question of how the properties and modulation of calcium-permeable membrane proteins lead to stimulus-specific control of synaptic strength.

For complete list: PubMed

Kavalali, E.T. & Plummer, M.R. (1994)
Selective potentiation of a novel calcium channel in rat hippocampal neurones.
J. Physiol. (Lond.) 480: 475-484.

Levine, E.S., Dreyfus, C.F., Black, I.B. & Plummer, M.R. (1995)
BDNF rapidly enhances synaptic transmission in hippocampal neurons via post-synaptic trk receptors.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 92 : 8074-8077.

Levine, E.S., Dreyfus, C.F., Black, I.B. & Plummer, M.R. (1995)
Differential effects of NGF and BDNF on voltage-gated calcium currents in embryonic basal forebrain neurons.
J. Neurosci. 15 3084-3091.

Levine, E.S., Dreyfus, C.F., Black, I.B. & Plummer, M.R. (1996)
Selective role for trkB neurotrophin receptors in rapid modulation of hippocampal synaptic transmission.
Mol. Brain Res. 38: 300-303.

Kavalali, E.T. & Plummer, M.R. (1996)
Multiple voltage-dependent mechanisms potentiate calcium channel activity in hippocampal neurons.
J. Neurosci.16: 1072-1082.

Kavalali, E.T., Hwang, K.S. & Plummer, M.R. (1997)
cAMP-dependent enhancement of dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channel availability in hippocampal neurons.
J. Neurosci.17: 5334-5348.

Levine, E.S., Crozier, R.A., Black, I.B. & Plummer, M.R. (1998)
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor modulates hippocampal synaptic transmission by increasing NMDA receptor activity.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 95:10235-10239.