Chronic stress changes the properties of stress hormone producing cells

What is it about?

In this study, we employ a mix of wet-lab experiments and mathematical modelling to study the effects of chronic stress on the electrical activity of pituitary corticotrophs, cells that are key for the hormonal response to stress. We show that the electrical excitability of these cells can be fine-tuned by changing the behaviour of a very small number of potassium ion channels (called BK) dependent on their properties and their localisation in the cell near a specific type of calcium ion channel.

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Photo by Yosi Prihantoro on Unsplash

Photo by Yosi Prihantoro on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Chronic stress is an excessively common condition in modern society. Studying the molecular mechanisms of stress hormone-producing cells allow us to better understand the cellular effects of long-term stress and might help develop new therapies for this condition.