Neurodegenerative Diseases: Where To Go From Now? Thought Provoking Through Ca2+/cAMP Signaling Interaction

Abstract

Science is not always linear! Imagine this scenario: The PhD researcher and his supervisor are formulating their experiment. During the experiment course, there is on the bench a residual solution containing Verapamil, an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker (CCB). In a relapse, the PhD researcher decides to add this solution in an isolated smooth muscle preparation. The smooth muscle was prior relaxed with a drug that increased the cAMP cytosolic concentration. According to the classical receptor theory, addition of verapamil in the smooth muscle preparation should enhance the relaxation of the smooth muscle! To his surprise, the PhD researcher observed an incredible contraction of the smooth muscle! Perplexed with this result, the PhD researcher and his supervisor did not know how to explain this phenomenon immediately