Main Topics:
1. Structure and function of purinergic P2X receptors.
2. Purinergic signaling in pituitary and hypothalamus.
3. Melatonin receptors and excitability of pituitary cells.


Research:
Laboratory is focused on the research of pituitary and hypothalamus. The main interest is on functional expression of purinergic P2X receptors and melatonin receptors that control intracellular calcium signaling, excitability and secretion of hormones from pituitary gland. Using perforated patch clamp recording, microfluorimetric techniques and radioimmunoassay, the effect of melatonin on GnRH-stimulated electrical activity, Ca2+ oscillations is studied in primary culture of neonatal pituitary cells. In neurons of suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON) in hypothalamic rat brain slices, modulation of synaptic transmission and physiological and pharmacological properties of purinergic P2X receptors are investigated. Recent research is focused on structure and function relationship of ATP-gated ion channels studied using mutagenesis and expression of mutated receptors in transfected HEK293 cells.
 

PUBLICATIONS
(Authors of the Department are underlined.)