Shing-Yan (Bill) Chiu

Professor
Ph.D., 1977, University of Washington

Contact Information
Email: chiu@physiology.wisc.edu
(608) 262-6994 Phone1
(608) 262-2508 Phone2
(608) 265-5512 Fax

Research Interests
K channel functions in the mammalian nervous system

Potassium channels are crucial modulators of excitability in normal and pathological nerves. In the mammals, multiple K channel gene families encode different gene products exhibiting diversity in kinetics, cellular localizations, and responsiveness to second messengers.

The goal of this laboratory is to elucidate the in vivo functions of K channels using a combination of electropysiology (S.Y. Chiu) and transgenics/gene knockout techniques (Albee Messing). Our current focus is on Shaker Channels (Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kv1.5) and auxiliary K channel subunits (Kvb1/Kvb2) . Viable global knockout mice of these channel genes have been produced and are now under physiological and molecular analysis.

Currently, two broad questions are being addressed. First, what is the functional impact of deleting these K channels in normal and demyelinated nerves particularly at axonal branch points? Second, do the Kvb subunits assist in delivering the K channel a subunits to the final destination?

Other long-term molecular approaches include selective manipulation of K channel expression in glial cells in transgenic mice using glial-cell specific promoters. Physiological techniques including patch-clamping and calcium imaging (Chiu). Molecular techniques include transgenics, global and conditional gene knockouts (Messing). Both neuronal and glial physiology are covered in this joint Chiu-Messing research project.

Selected Publications

• Kriegler, S. & Chiu, S. Y. (1993). Calcium signaling of glial cells along mammalian axons. J. Neurosci 13: 4229-4245.
   
• Zhuo, L., Sun B., Zhang, C-L., Fine, A., Chiu, S. Y. & Messing, A. (1997) Live astrocytes visualized by green fluorescent protein in transgenic mice. Dev. Biol. 187: 36-42.
   
• Smart, S.L., Lopantsev, V., Zhang, C.L., Robbins, C.A., Wang, H., Chiu, S.Y., Schwartzkroin, P.A., Messing, A., Tempel, B.L. (1998). Deletion of the Kv1.1 Potassium Channel Causes Epilepsy in Mice. Neuron 20: 809-819.
   
• Zhou, L., Zhang, C.L., Messing, A. & Chiu, S.Y. (1998). Temperature-sensitive neuromuscular transmission in Kv1.1 null mice: role of potassium channels under the myelin sheath in young nerves. J. Neurosci. 18: 7200-7215.
   
• Feltri, M.L., D'Antonio, M.D., Quattrini, A., Numerato, R., Arona, M., Previtali, S., Chiu, S.Y., Messing, A., Wrabetz, L. (1998). A novel P0 glycoprotein transgene activates expression of lacZ in myelin-forming Schwann cells. Eur. J. Neurosci.
   
• Zhang, C.L., Messing, A. Chiu, S.Y. (1999) Specific Alteration of Spontaneous GABAergic inhibition in cerebellar Purkinje cells in mice lacking the potassium channel Kv1.1. J. Neurosci. April 15, 19(8).

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