Start Date / Time | January 29, 2014 at 9:00 AM |
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End Date / Time | January 29, 2014 at 10:00 AM |
Duration | 1 hour(s) |
Location | 512 Light Hall |
Presenter Name | Alessandro Ustione (Piston) |
Presentation Title | Investigating the multiple functions of dopamine signaling in the islets |
Status | This meeting has already occurred |
The main focus of my current research is to identify the molecular mechanism by which dopamine regulates glucose stimulated insulin secretion from the mouse pancreatic islet. Dopamine alters the calcium dynamics in the islet when it binds to the D3 receptor, but the link between the activated receptor and intracellular Ca2+ is yet to be determined. I am testing the hypothesis that the D3 receptor activates the GIRK channels. In addition to its effect on insulin secretion, I am also investigating the effects of dopamine on the other islet cell types, to determine if dopamine also plays a role as a paracrine signal to coordinate hormone secretion. I will present the latest results and the future directions.