Gregory C. Amberg, PharmD, PhDAssistant Professor Phone: 970-491-6028 (office) Member Education |
 |
Research Interests
Ion channels regulate the function and activity of excitable tissues such as nerve and muscle. Research in the lab involves the study of ion channels in arterial smooth muscle and their impact on arterial function. Changes in ion channel behavior during pathophysiological conditions such as hypertension are of particular interest.
Projects in the lab primarily focus on the investigation of highly localized calcium signals produced by L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (called "calcium sparklets") located in the plasma membrane of arterial smooth muscle cells. At present we are investigating redox-dependent modulation of L-type calcium channel function by reactive oxygen species. Experimental approaches used include a combination of patch-clamp electrophysiology, molecular biological methods, pressurized intact arteries, and imaging techniques such as total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) and confocal microscopy.
Featured Publications
Amberg GC, Earley S, Glapa SA. 2010. Local regulation of arterial L-type calcium channels by reactive oxygen species. Circ Res 107(8):1002-1010.
Crnich R, Amberg GC, Leo MD, Gonzales AL, Tamkun MM, Jaggar JH, Earley S. 2010. Vasoconstriction resulting from dynamic membrane trafficking of TRPM4 in vascular smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 299(3):C682-694.
Gonzales AL, Amberg GC, Earley S. 2010. Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is required for sustained TRPM4 activity in cerebral artery smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 299(2):C279-288.
Nieves-Cintrón M, Amberg GC, Navedo MF, Molkentin JD, Santana LF. 2008. The control of Ca2+ influx and NFATc3 signaling in arterial smooth muscle during hypertension. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 7;105(40):15623-8.
Amberg GC, Navedo MF, Nieves-Cintrón M, Molkentin JD, Santana LF. 2007. Calcium sparklets regulate local and global calcium in murine arterial smooth muscle. J Physiol 579:187-201.
