Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology (Center for Physiology and Pharmacology)
Position: Professor
E-Mail: helmut.kubista@meduniwien.ac.at
Research Area
Calcium Channels, L-Type, Epilepsy
Research Interests
Epilepsy, Neuropharmacology, Neurophysiology
Principle Investigator(s)
Interest Group(s)
Abstract
Research in the group focuses on the role of various ion channels in the electrical activities of nerve cells. The aim of our work is to understand their implication in normal and abnormal discharge patterns. Our ultimate goal is to assess the potential targetability of these channels in neurological diseases. Currently we are investigating these questions with respect to L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCCs). We identified a precipitating role of enhanced levels of LTCC activity in interictal discharge patterns, so called paroxysmal depolarization shifts (PDS), which are now increasingly understood as neuropathologic events, most probably exceeding epileptogenic mechanisms.
Techniques
We primarily perform current-clamp experiments to record membrane voltage using the minimally invasive perforated-patch mode. Voltage clamp experiments are employed for further analysis. In addition, we use fluorescence-based indicators and confocal microscopy to study calcium signaling and cellular metabolism. The investigations are performed on primary cultures of hippocampal neurons derived from rats and genetically modified mice strains.
Selected publications
- Meyer C, Kettner A, Hochenegg U, Rubi L, Hilber K, Koenig X, Boehm S, Hotka M, Kubista H (2021) On the Origin of Paroxysmal Depolarization Shifts: The Contribution of Cav1.x Channels as the Common Denominator of a Polymorphous Neuronal Discharge Pattern Neuroscience, 468: 265-281
- Hotka M, Cagalinec M, Hilber K, Hool L, Boehm S, Kubista H (2020) L-type Ca 2+ channel–mediated Ca 2+ influx adjusts neuronal mitochondrial function to physiological and pathophysiological conditions Sci. Signal, 13 (618)
- Hotka M, Kubista H (2019) The paroxysmal depolarization shift in epilepsy research Int J Biochem Cell Biol., 107: 77-81