PATHOLOGY OF CALCIUM TRANSPORTING SYSTEMS IN MUSCLE AND OTHER CELL TYPES

Calcium is a universal signalling agent that controls cell function during the entire life of cells, from fertilization to death. Its final regulation within cells is performed by protein systems that transport it across the plasma membrane and across the membranes of cell organelles. The transporting systems (pumps, exchangers, channels) have different properties and the project plans to study their integrated function in living cells, including muscle cells. This will require the expression of the recombinant transporting proteins in heterologous cells, and the study of their effects on calcium homeostasis by calcium imaging techniques. Several forms of genetic pathology follow mutations in calcium transporters, especially pumps and channels. The project will study some of these genetic conditions by expressing the mutated genes. The research will also be extended to a study of the role of calcium transporting systems in the process of programmed cell death.