Steve Matsumoto

Ph.D., State University of New York, 1978

Associate Professor, Biological Structure and Function, School of Dentistry

Joint Assistant Professor, Cell and Developmental Biology

I am interested in the mechanisms that regulate the differentiation of peripheral neurons from multipotent precursor cells. We have been determining the phenotype of the neurons differentiating in the cultures by an analysis of the types of high voltage-activated calcium channels that are present. Recently we have discovered that neuronal progenitor cells from the CNS and PNS, exhibit intracellular calcium transients that are generated by an IP3-mediated mechanism. The production of calcium transients is a necessary requirement or neurogenesis. Our current studies are directed towards an understanding of how calcium signaling is regulates the production of neurons. Research methodologies employed include: cell culture, whole-cell voltage clamp, intracellular current clamp, calcium imaging, and immunohistochemistry.

Carey, M., & Matsumoto, S. G. (2000). Calcium transient activity in cultured murine neural crest cells is regulated at the IP3 receptor. Brain res, 862, 201-210.

Carey, M. B., & Matsumoto, S. G. (1999a). Neurons differentiating from murine neural crest in culture exhibit sensory or sympathetic-like calcium currents. Journal of Neurobiology, 39, 501-514.

Carey, M. B., & Matsumoto, S. G. (1999b). Spontaneous Calcium Transients Are Required for Neuronal Differentiation of Murine Neural Crest. Dev. Biol., 215, 298-313.

Paulsen, N., & Matsumoto, S. G. (2000). Progenitor Cells with the Capacity to Differentiate into Sympathetic-like Neurons are Transiently Detected in Mammalian Dorsal Root Ganglia. J. Neurobiol., 43, 31-39.

To contact Dr. Matsumoto directly: matsumos@ohsu.edu