Research Projects

Objective: To analyze the role of membrane lipids such as cholestrol and sphingolipids in the endocytosis of the serotonin 1a receptor. To explore the intercellular endocytic machinery involved in the endocytosis of the serotonin 1a receptor under conditions of modulated lipid content in the cells. To explore the mechanistic basis of the modulatory effects of membrane lipids ont eh endocytosis of the serotonin 1a receptor. To understand the endocytosis of the Serotonin 1a receptor in pathophysiological conditions of altered cellular cholestrol metabolism, such as the Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS). To monitor the intercellular trafficking and subsequent intercellular fate of the Serotonin 1a receptor under conditions of modulated cholestrol and shingolipids. To explore the intercellular trafficking of the serotonin 1a receptor in pathophysiological conditions of altered cellular cholestrol metabolism, such as the SLOS. To analyze the role of the actin cytoskeleton in the endocytosis of the serotonin 1a receptor. To explore the intercellular trafficking of hte serotonin1a receptor upon destabilization of the actin cytoskeleton. To understand the interply between membrane lipids and the actin cytoskeleton in the regulation of endocytosis and intercellular trafficking of the serotonin 1a receptor.