Myoung-Goo Kang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Myoung-Goo Kang , Ph.D.

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Sogang University, 1994
• Master of Science, Loyola University, 1997
• Doctor of Philosophy, University of Iowa, 2003
• Post-Doctoral Training, Johns Hopkins University, 2003-2008

About the Lab

Proteomic identification and functional characterization of AMPA receptor complex 

The strength of synaptic connections between neurons can be modified in response to neuronal activity. This phenomenon is known as synaptic plasticity and is considered as a main mechanism for learning and memory. The a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptor (AMPA-R) is a major excitatory neurotransmitter receptor. Modulation of AMPA-R trafficking and activity is known as one of the important mechanisms for synaptic plasticity. Recent studies have identified several AMPA-R interactors that can modulate the activity and/or the trafficking of AMPA-R. In my recent studies I have focused on proteomic identification and functional characterization of novel components of the AMPA-R complex. These studies are important not only for the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity and learning and memory but also for the development of new therapies for the treatment of various neurological disorders caused by abnormal synaptic transmission or plasticity such as mental retardation, dementia, epilepsy, and schizophrenia.

I have developed methodologies for proteomic analysis of AMPA-R complex and identified several novel components of AMPA-R complex. Different sets of AMPA-R complexes were purified from the brain through various combinations of extraction and affinity chromatography protocols followed by mass spectrometry analysis. Recently, my work has focused on the functional characterization of these novel components. Some of the novel component identified through my proteomic screening seems involved in the regulation of structural plasticity and AMPA-R trafficking. Functional characterization of the novel components will provide new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying AMPA-R trafficking.

In addition, I previously demonstrated that the AMPA-R is physically and functionally associated with neuronal Ca2+ channels (Cav) in the brain. Through the study of Ca2+ channel-AMPA-R complexes in postsynaptic membranes, my lab will try to reveal novel mechanism of Ca2+ channels (Cav) function for postsynaptic plasticity.

I believe that these studies of protein associated with AMPA-R and Cav will elucidate their neuronal function in detail, which is likely to provide crucial information about the molecular mechanism of synaptic plasticity in the brain.

Select Publications

Myoung-Goo Kang, Yurong Guo, and Richard L. Huganir, (200?) AMPA receptor and GEF-H1/Lfc complex regulates dendritic spine development through RhoA signaling cascade. (Submitted)

Jianxiong Jiang, Kodeeswaran Parameshwaran, M. Lamar Seibenhener, Myoung-Goo Kang, Vishnu Suppiramaniam, Richard L. Huganir, Maria T. Diaz-Meco, and Marie W. Wooten, (2008) AMPA Receptor Trafficking and Synaptic Plasticity Require SQSTM1/p62. Hippocampus (In Press)

Hailan Hu, Eleonore Real, Kogo Takamiya, Myoung-Goo Kang, Joeph Ledoux, Richard L. Huganir, and Roberto Malinow (2007) Emotion Enhances Learning via Norepinephrine Regulation of AMPA Receptor Trafficking. Cell 131(1): 160-173.

Jean-Claude Bque, Da-Ting Lin, Myoung-Goo Kang, Hiro Aizawa, Kogo Takamiya, and Richard L. Huganir. (2006) Synapse-specific regulation of AMPA receptor function by PSD-95. PNAS 103(51): 19535-19540.

Jannic Boehm*, Myoung-Goo Kang*, Richard C. Johnson, Jose Esteban, Richard L. Huganir and Roberto Malinow. (2006) Synaptic Incorporation of AMPA Receptors During LTP is Controlled by a Novel PKC Phosphorylation Site on GluR1. Neuron. 51(2):213-25           (*These authors contributed equally to this paper)

Myoung-Goo Kang, Chien-Chang Chen, Minoru Wakamori, Yuji Hara, Yasuo Mori, and Kevin P. Campbell. (2006) A functional AMPA receptor-calcium channel complex in postsynaptic membrane. PNAS 103(14): 5561-5566.

Verity A. Letts, Myoung-Goo Kang, Connie L. Mahaffey, Barbara Beyer, Heather Tenbrink, Kevin P. Campbell, Wayne N. Frankel (2003) Phenotypic heterogeneity in the stargazin allelic series. Mammalian Genome. 14(8):506-13.

Myoung-Goo Kang and Kevin P. (2003) Gamma subunit of voltage-activated calcium channels J. Biol. Chem. 278(24):21315-8.

Myoung-Goo Kang, Ricardo Felix, and Kevin P. Campbell. (2002) Long-term regulation of neuronal P/Q-type Ca2+ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes by gabapentin. FEBS Let 528:177-182.

Myoung-Goo Kang, Chien-Chang Chen, Ricard Felix, Verity A. Letts, Wayne N. Frankel, Yasuo Mori, and Kevin P. Campbell. (2001) Biochemical and biophysical evidence for g2 subunit association with neuronal voltage-activated Ca2+ channels. J. Biol. Chem.276 (35):32917-32924.

Myoung-Goo Kang, Andrei Kulisz, and William J. Wasserman (1998) Raf-1 kinase, a potential regulator of intracellular pH in Xenopus oocytes. Biol Cell. 90(6-7):477-85.

Publications on PubMed:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=DetailsSearch&Term=Myoung-Goo%20Kang