Michael J. Davis, PhD
Professor and Associate Department Head, Department of Medical Pharmacology and PhysiologyOffice Location: M451f Medical Sciences Building
Office Phone: 573-884-5181
Lab Location: 256 Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center
Lab Phone: 573-882-1611
DavisMJ@health.missouri.edu
Research Interests
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Research Description
The focus of Davis' research is on the mechanisms of mechanotransduction by blood vessels: How do vascular cells detect changes in pressure? What cellular proteins and signaling pathways are involved in this process? How are these mechanisms impaired in vascular disease states? Currently, he is funded to investigate the intracellular signaling axis linking the extracellular matrix with integrin receptors, the cytoskeleton, and plasmamembrane ion channels. His studies indicate that the L-type, voltage-gated calcium channel and the large-conductance, calcium-activated (BK) potassium channel are acutely regulated by integrins (adhesion molecules) in vascular cells, under both physiological and pathological conditions; ion flux through these channels subsequently controls the state of contraction of vascular smooth muscle. The experimental approaches used in Davis' laboratory — isolated, perfused microvessel methods and single-cell electrophysiology — are combined with a variety of imaging techniques, including confocal microscopy, atomic force microscopy and total-internal reflectance fluorescence microscopy.Molecular analyses, such as site-directed mutagenesis and co-immunoprecipitation, is also used to identify the specific integrin-associated proteins that are involved in the modulation of ion channels and to identify the specific domains on the channels that are required for their regulation.
Professional Background
- Obtained BS in zoology, University of California–Davis.
- Obtained PhD in physiology and biophysics, University of Nebraska Medical Center.
- Completed postdoctoral research at University of Arizona.
- Received an Established Investigatorship from the American Heart Association.
- Served as member of editorial boards for Microcirculation and Journal of Vascular Research.
- Served as member of National Institutes of Health (NIH) Experimental Cardiovascular Sciences Study Section.
- Received Lyndon B. Johnson Award from Texas Affiliate of the American Heart Association.
- Received Excellence in Research Award 2001 from Texas A&M University.
- Research funded by NIH.
Selected Publications
- Wu X, Mogford JE, Davis GE, Platts S, Meininger GA, Davis MJ: Modulation of calcium current in rat arteriolar smooth muscle cells by αvβ3 and α5β1 integrin ligands. J Cell Biology 143:241-252, 1998.
- Davis MJ, Hill MA: Signaling mechanisms underlying the vascular myogenic response. Physiological Reviews 79:387-423, 1999.
- Wu X, Davis GE, Meininger GA, Davis MJ: Regulation of the L-type calcium channel by α5β1 integrin requires signaling between focal-adhesion proteins. J Biol Chem 276: 30285-30292, 2001.
- Kawasaki J, Davis G, Davis MJ: Regulation of endothelial cell BKCa channels by avβ3 integrin. J Biol Chem 279(13):12959-66, 2004.