Research
Intracellular signalling pathways
Regulated changes in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration are the principal means by which contraction of vascular smooth muscle is controlled, and drugs that target Ca2+ signalling pathways are widely used to treat hypertension. Other signalling pathways, notably those regulated by cyclic AMP, modulate the responses of vascular smooth to contractile stimuli by both regulating Ca2+ signals and the effects they have on contractile proteins.
Building on our interests in IP3 receptors, which are the most widely expressed intracellular Ca2+ channels, we are examining the interplay between cAMP and Ca2+ in human aortic smooth muscle cells by examining responses to receptors that evoke IP3 and cAMP formation. A major aim is to understand how these diffusible messengers are delivered from receptors in the plasma membrane to their intracellular targets.
Publications
Most recent publications are listed on PubMed.
Structural and functional conservation of key domains in InsP3 and ryanodine receptors. Seo, M-D, Velamakanni, S, Ishiyama, N, Stathopulos, PB, Rossi, AM, Khan, SA, Dale, P, Li, C, Ames, JB, Ikura, M & Taylor, CW (2012) Nature 483, 108-112.
Endogenous signalling pathways and caged-IP3 evoke Ca2+ puffs at the same abundant immobile intracellular sites. Keebler, MV & Taylor CW (2017) J Cell Sci. 130, 3728-3739.
Ca2+ signals initiate at immobile IP3 receptors adjacent to ER-plasma membrane junctions where STIM evokes Ca2+ entry. Thillaiappan, NB, Chavda, AP, Tovey, SC, Prole, DL & Taylor CW (2017) Nat. Comm. 8, 1505.
Cyclic AMP recruits a discrete intracellular Ca2+ stores by unmasking hypersensitive IP3 receptors. Konieczny, V, Tovey, SC, Mataragka, S, Prole, DL & Taylor, CW (2017) Cell Rep. 18, 711-722.
Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors and their protein partners as signalling hubs. Prole, DL & Taylor, CW (2016) J. Physiol. I594, 2849-2866.
