
Hypertension
Dr. Kashlan's Research
The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) plays a crucial role in sodium regulation by facilitating sodium detection on the tongue and sodium > reabsorption in the kidney, lung and colon. My research is focused on the allosteric regulation of ENaC. One area of interest is how channel activity is up-regulated by proteases. Two of the subunits are cleaved twice, releasing inhibitory tracts and activating the channel. Using electrophysiology, enzymology and molecular modeling, we are characterizing the sites from which these inhibitory tracts originate and how these tracts influence ENaC behavior. Another area of interest is how sodium down-regulates the channel, a salient feature of the channel that enables reduced sodium reabsorption during times of sodium excess. We are using a modeling and molecular evolution approach to examine where sodium binds and how that translates to channel closure.
Dr. Kleyman's Research
Dr. Ray's Research
Dr. Subramanya's Research
Division of Renal-Electrolyte Academic Offices
A919 Scaife Hall
3550 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
(412) 647-3118