Stephens, Gary - University of Reading

研究领域

Synaptic transmission is triggered when calcium ions enter presynaptic terminals via voltage-gated calcium channels. Calcium influx leads to a series of protein-protein interactions resulting in the release of neurotransmitters from vesicles into the synaptic cleft. Neurotransmitters can interact with postsynaptic receptors or, by feedback, with presynaptic receptors present on nerve terminals. Our group uses patch clamp electrophysiology to investigate presynaptic mechanisms in synaptic transmission. In particular, we are interested in modulation of presynaptic calcium channels and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). We are also investigating the molecular determinants in the modulation of ion channels and receptors and in inhibitory synaptic transmission in the mammalian cerebellum, and have extended this work to excitatory transmission in hippocampal brain slices. Our current focus here is on plant derived cannabinoids, which we are investigating using electrophysiological recordings from brain slices. In addition, we investigate ion channel and GPCR modulation in native neurones and recombinant cells.

近期论文

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Heath, F., Newman, A., Clementi, C., Pasut, G., Lin, H., Stephens, G. J., Whalley, B. J., Osborn, H. M. I. and Greco, F. (2016) A novel PEG–haloperidol conjugate with a non-degradable linker shows the feasibility of using polymer–drug conjugates in a non-prodrug fashion. Polymer Chemistry, 7 (47). pp. 7204-7210. ISSN 1759-9954 doi: 10.1039/c6py01418f Stephens, G. (2016) Does modulation of the endocannabinoid system have potential therapeutic utility in cerebellar ataxia? Journal of Physiology, 594 (16). pp. 4631-4641. ISSN 0022-3751 doi: 10.1113/JP271106 Stephens, G. J. (2016) Does modulation of the endocannabinoid system have potential therapeutic utility in cerebellar ataxia? Journal of Physiology, 594 (16). pp. 4631-4641. ISSN 1469-7793 doi: 10.1113/JP271106 Arjmand, S., Vaziri, Z. , Behzadi, M., Abbassian, H., Stephens, G. J. and Shabani, M. (2015) Cannabinoids and tremor induced by motor-related disorders: friend or foe? Neurotherapeutics, 12 (4). pp. 778-787. ISSN 1933-7213 doi: 10.1007/s13311-015-0367-5 Ronzitti, G., Bucci, G., Stephens, G. and Chieregatti, E. (2015) Raft-partitioning of calcium channels regulates their function. Channels, 9 (4). pp. 169-170. ISSN 1933-6969 doi: 10.1080/19336950.2015.1063285 Vogl, C., Tanifuji, S., Danis, B. , Daniels, V. , Foerch, P. , Wolff, C. , Whalley, B. J., Mochida, S. and Stephens, G. J. (2015) Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A modulates vesicular release and calcium channel function at peripheral sympathetic synapses. The European Journal of Neuroscience, 41 (4). pp. 398-409. ISSN 0953-816X doi: 10.1111/ejn.12799