pbest@life.illinois.edu
393 Burrill Hall
Office: (217) 333-8176
Lab: (217) 244-2940
Fax: (217) 333-1133
Mail to:
Dept of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
524 Burrill Hall
407 S. Goodwin Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
Philip M Best
Associate Dean, College of LAS
Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Biophysics, Bioengineering, and Neuroscience
Education
B.A. 1969 Duke University
Ph.D. 1974 University of Washington
Postdoc. 1974-75 University of Washington
Postdoc. 1975-76 University of Bern, Switzerland
Postdoc. 1976-79 University of Chicago
Calcium channels in the heart: structure, function and regulation
Research in my lab is focused on understanding the regulation and function of voltage dependent calcium channels, particularly those expressed in the heart. Calcium channels are involved in the production of the cardiac action potential and in the regulation of cellular calcium levels. Thus they play important roles in controlling cardiac muscle activation and contraction. Calcium channels are multimeric proteins and interactions between subunits help define and regulate channel function. We use genetic engineering and mutational analysis coupled with electrophysiological recording to identify sequence motifs that are involved in protein/protein interactions between the gamma and alpha subunits of calcium channels. Our current interests also include defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in subunit regulation of current expression.
Representative Publications
Chu, P.J., Robertson, H.M. and Best, P.M. Calcium channel gamma subunits provide insights into the evolution of this gene family. GENE 280:37-48, 2001. [Abstract]
Larsen, J.K., Mitchell, J.W. and Best, P.M. Quantitative analysis of the expression and distribution of calcium channel α1 subunit mRNA in the atria and ventricules of the rat heart. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 34:519-532, 2002. [Abstract]
Chu, P-J and Best, P.M. Molecular cloning of calcium channel α2Δ-subunits from rat atria myocytes and the differential regulation of their expression by IGF-1, Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Feb; 35(2): 207-15, 2003. [Abstract]
Chu, P-J, Larsen, J.K., Chen, C-C, and Best, P.M. Distribution and relative expression levels of calcium channel β subunits within the chambers of the rat heart. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 36:423-434, 2004. [Abstract]
Hansen, J.P., Chen, R-S., Chu, P-J, Larsen, J.K., Janes, D.M., Weis, K.E., and Best, P.M. Calcium Channel γ6 Subunits are Unique Modulators of Low Voltage-Activated (Cav3.1) Calcium Current. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 37:1147-58, 2004. [Abstract]
Larsen, J.K., Chen, C-C, and Best, P.M. Disruption of Growth Hormone Secretion Alters Calcium Current Density and the Expression of Calcium Channel and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Genes in Rat Atria. American Journal of Physiology, 288:H829-38, 2005. [Abstract]