Deborah Nelson, University of Chicago
Professor
Chicago, Illinois
dnelson@bsd.uchicago.edu
Office:
(773) 702-0126
Bio/Research
Research in the laboratory over the past ten years has further explored ion channel-mediated signal transduction in non-excitable cells focusing on regulation via intracellular protein-protein interactions. Using recent examples of studies conducted in the laboratory, these interactions can subs...
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Bio/Research
Research in the laboratory over the past ten years has further explored ion channel-mediated signal transduction in non-excitable cells focusing on regulation via intracellular protein-protein interactions. Using recent examples of studies conducted in the laboratory, these interactions can subserve vastly different cellular functions which may gate or open a channel as in the case of the G protein coupled K channel (GIRK or Kir 3.X) (1) or the CaMKII-activated chloride channel (2,3). Protein-protein interactions may modulate the time a channel spends in the open state as with the interaction of members of the SNARE protein family with the CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transport Regulator) chloride channel (4-6). Conversely, a complex of regulatory proteins may play a concerted role in inhibiting channel open time as is the case with annexin IV and CaMKII in the regulation of the CaMKII activated chloride channel (7,8). And finally, ion channels may be held together in regulatory networks or membrane rafts via interactions with the actin cytoskeleton (9). We have used as our target proteins both K and Cl channels and have studied protein mediated channel regulation in both classes of proteins recognized as mediators of membrane potential stabilization.
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