Colbran Lab

Overview

Calcium signaling is highly dynamic.  Carefully orchestrated changes in the activities of numerous channels, pumps and exchangers  typical result in pulsatile changes in cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentrations.  Intracellular signaling pathways integrate information conveyed by the duration and amplitude of each "pulse" of Ca²⁺, as well as by the frequency of repeated pulses to elicit specific physiological responses.   Many Ca²⁺ responses are mediated by calmodulin, a ubiquitous "Ca²⁺ sensor" protein that binds to and regulates many proteins in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner.  One major target of Ca²⁺/calmodulin is Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) which is the major research focus in the Colbran lab.  The goal of our studies is to understand mechanisms that control the dynamic interplay between changes in Ca²⁺ concentrations and autophosphorylation/dephosphorylation of CaMKII in defined subcellular compartments and their relationship to physiological and pathological situations.  Our major focus is on signaling in the dendritic spines at excitatory synapses, which are the subcellular compartments in neurons that control synaptic transmission, learning and memory in many brain regions.

Co-localization of CaMKII and neurabin (a PP1 targeting subunit) in neuronal dendritic spines.

Use the links below to find our more about our research:

CaMKII regulation

Subcellular Targeting of CaMKII

Striatal signaling in Parkinson's Disease

Feedback regulation of Ca²⁺ channels