The kidney plays a major role in maintaining salt and fluid homeostasis. The research interests of my laboratory are in the field of hormonal modulation of ion transport with a focus on renal epithelial Na+ transport. In the mammalian kidney, Na+ transport is precisely regulated by a variety of hormones. The present research is examining the effects of aldosterone (a classic natriferic corticosteroid hormone), insulin (a natriferic peptide) and insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1) (a peptide growth factor). We are interested in points of convergence between the steroid and peptide responses, particularly whether both classes of hormones modulate renal epithelial Na+ transport at the level of the amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel. These studies utilize the disciplines of cellular physiology, electrophysiology, protein biochemistry proteomics, confocal imaging and molecular biology. Our studies have direct medical relevance to diseases such as essential hypertension, diabetic hypertension, polycystic kidney disease, congestive heart failure and cystic fibrosis.
Department of Biology