{Parkinson’s and Calcium Channels

AP Biology Cell Communication PresentationClaire, Amira, and Anne

A Neurodegenerative Disorder

It affects movement There is no cure Dopamine neurons die

Explanation of Parkinson’s

Dopamine is the ligand It is sent out from the Dopamine

neuron Dopamine receptor proteins

accept the ligand These occur on target neurons

In the normal pathway proper amounts of dopamine ignite the neurons

In Parkinson’s high levels of calcium also enter the neuron along with the dopamine

Connection to Signaling

normal dopamine release pathway: dopamine binds to D1- and D2-type receptors. D1 receptors signal G proteins that activate adenylate

cyclase, which then cause production of cAMP and activation of PKA

D2-type receptors inhibit adenylate cyclase to prevent signaling

Parkinson’s disease: the signal transduction pathway is essentially the

same the dopamine levels are different dysfunctional mitochondria:

mitochondrial protein PINK1 guards the cell against oxidative stress and regulates the protein TRAP1

PINK1 does not function properly, neither does TRAP1, mitochondria is damaged.

creates an excess of α-synuclein, which turns into Lewy Bodies that prevent dopamine synthesis.

α-synuclein buildup + calcium buildup from calcium channels can lead to lead to cell death.

Connection to Transduction

The response to a healthy dopaminergic neuron is an electrical impulse caused by the influx of calcium ions through the calcium channels. The electrical impulse allows for proper motor control.

The response of these cells in a person with Parkinson's disease involves the influx of too many calcium ions, putting stress on the cells' mitochondria. The mitochondria then release a substance that causes premature apoptosis. 

Connection to Cellular Response

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Web. 08 Dec. 2014. "The Journal of Experimental Biology." Different Types of Calcium Channels. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. L-Type Calcium Channel Blockers and Parkinson’s Disease in Denmark. National Institutes of Health, n.d. Web. "Monthly Archives: July 2012." Autoimmune Patient. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. "Parkinson's Disease." Definition. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2014. "Parkinson's Disease." Symptoms. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2014. "Research Brings Cure for Parkinson's Disease a Step Closer." Research Brings Cure for Parkinson's Disease a Step Closer. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. "Science News." Calcium Channels Changes Could Point to New Therapies. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. "TO SLOW PARKINSON’S, SHUT OUT CALCIUM." N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. Little, Liann. "Parkinson's Cell Signaling Communication." Prezi.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. "Dopamine Signaling in Parkinson's Disease Pathway." Cell Signaling Technology (CST): Antibodies, Reagents, Proteomics, Kits and

Consumables. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. "Science News." Calcium Channels Changes Could Point to New Therapies. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. McCleskey, E. W., A. P. Fox, D. Feldman, and R. W. Tsein. "Different Types of Calcium Channels." (1986): 177-90. Web. 9 Dec.

2014. Rogers, Madolyn B. "Can Calcium Channel Blockers Save Stressed-Out Dopaminergic Neurons?" Alzforum. Biomedical Research

Forum, LLC., 11 Nov. 2010. Web. 9 Dec. 2014.

Works Cited