The Biophysical Basis of Ion Transport Pathology
Our major interest is in the mechanism and function of transmembrane proteins mediating the transport of electrolytes and metabolic products as it relates to disease states. Our research focuses on Slc26 transporters since very little was known about members of this family, however, a rapidly growing number of human diseases that are linked to disruption of genes encoding Slc26 transporters underscores their physiological importance. To date, our study of the Slc26 proteins revealed very unique electrophysiological behaviors that cannot be explained based on our knowledge of current structural models of cation transporters and, hence, the establishment of new models was required. Using bioinformatics tools and various experimental techniques we have established a novel structure-function and protein-protein interaction models of Slc26 transporters utilizing computer modeling and experimental results in-vitro and in-vivo. Our study of biophysical, biochemical and functional properties of Slc26 mediated ion transport had a major impact on our understanding of Cl-, pH and carboxylic acid homeostasis mechanisms and metabolism under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.