Angus Nairn, PhD
Charles B. G. Murphy Professor of PsychiatryCards
About
Research
Overview
Our discovery and characterization of striatal phosphoproteins controlled by dopamine, including DARPP-32, RCS, and ARPP-16, provides a rational approach to the elucidation of the molecular actions of dopamine. Our current studies focus on the biochemical characterization of DARPP-32 and its target, protein phosphatase-1, on RCS and the regulation of calmodulin-dependent signaling, and on ARPP-16 and its potential involvement in regulation of protein phosphatase 2A. In these studies we utilize we use biochemical, molecular, and cell biological methods to characterize the role of these proteins in signal transduction pathways in striatal neurons. In addition, we use mouse models where striatal phosphoproteins and their targets have been “knocked out” to investigate the functions of these dopamine-regulated pathways in a variety of behavioral paradigms.
cAMP-regulated signal transduction in striatal neurons.
Proteomics of specific neuronal populations.
Selective regulation of protein translation.
Medical Research Interests
News & Links
Media
- Beyond the Dopamine Receptor: Regulation and Roles of Serine/Threonine Protein Phosphatases: Left Panels: DARPP-32 (left, saggital section, positive immunoreactivity black), RCS (middle, coronal section, positive immunoreactivity white; caudate/putamen (CP) and nucleus accumbens (A); inset at right shows RCS enrichment in nucleus accumbens (left of dashed line) in more rostral section, ARPP-16 (right, saggital section, immunoreactivity white). Simple domain diagrams of each protein with their amino acid number and site of PKA phosphorylation are shown below the respective immunolocalization panels. Right Panel: Interactive roles of DARPP-32, RCS and ARPP-16 in regulation of signal transduction in striatal neurons.
News
- November 27, 2017
Yale study tracks protein across human brain
- October 18, 2016
Protein linked to Alzheimer’s may also play a role in schizophrenia
- March 03, 2015
Eleven Yale faculty honored by Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering
- August 06, 2014
In search for Alzheimer’s drug, a major STEP forward