Functional roles and regulation of HCN channels iin neuronal circuits

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Biel
• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2007 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 43597894

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are widely expressed in the CNS. While the electrophysiological properties of these channels have been investigated in quite detail in heterologous expression systems, the functional roles and the modulation of the channels in the context of neuronal circuits have been only poorly defined so far. Therefore, the first aim of this proposal is to identify and characterize regulatory proteins of HCN channels in different brain regions. Secondly, two genetic mouse models (HCN2/4cad) will be generated and analyzed to define the relevance of cAMP-dependent regulation of HCN channels in vivo. Finally, we will generate two mouse lines (HCN2-1/4 Switch mice) to study the correlation between the distinct biophysical properties of HCN channels and their functional roles in neuronal networks.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants