Hebert Lab: Research

Hebert Laboratory

Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology

Yale School of Medicine

Home

Research

K+ channels

ion-sensors

Cl - transporters

Techniques

Publications

People

Contact

Research

The maintenance of the ionic content of cells and their environment is vital to life. We are interested in the structural, biochemical and genetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of ion transport and signaling by cells. Three types of molecules are studied: ion channels, electroneutral transporters of cations and anions, and divalent mineral sensors. We utilize molecular-genetic, biochemical, pharmacological and physiological approaches to study the function, regulation and structure of these proteins.

ATP-sensitive and ATP regulated potassium channels

Movement of ions through channels is governed by conformational changes resulting in channel opening or closing, also referred to as gating. Ion channels have evolved an array of gating sensors. We study how nucleotides and protons gate inwardly rectifying K channels. We had cloned the initial member of this inward-rectifier channel family in 1993. These K channels play vital roles in kidney, heart, vascular smooth muscle, and pancreatic beta-cells and loss of function mutations result in severe renal, cardiovascular, pancreatic and CNS disorders.
Lie-qi Tang, Ke Dong, Gordon MacGregor, Qiang Leng, Anthony O'Connell

G-protein coupled ion-sensors

Calcium and certain other nutrients (amino acids and polyamines) can function as extracellular signaling molecules or ìfirst messengersî by activating a novel G protein-coupled receptor that we cloned in 1993. This receptor provides the mechanism for sensing extracellular calcium and transferring this information for regulation of the function of many different types of cells. We are studying the roles of this sensor in epithelial ion and fluid transport, proliferation and differentiation. This receptor plays important roles in maintaining intestinal ìhealthî and reducing the risk of colon cancer.
Sam Cheng, Alexandra Buschmann

Sodium/Potassium coupled chloride transporters

Electroneutral cation-coupled chloride transporters are crucial to chloride absorptive and secretory epithelia, cell volume regulation and the setting of intracellular chloride in excitability in neurons. We cloned some of the members of this family and study how they are regulated by ions, diuretics and cytosolic second messengers.

Top

Last modified: August 22, 2003