UR Faculty: Ted B. Begenisich, Ph.D.

My laboratory is organized around interests in ion-channel proteins in excitable and secretory cells. We are attempting to: (1) determine what structural features of the channels give these proteins their special properties; and (2) what physiological roles these channels play. We assess channel structure/function relations by determining with patch-clamp methods the electrophysiological properties of cloned channels (and channel mutants) expressed in Xenopus oocytes. We are currently using PCR-based site-specific mutagenesis to identify some of the molecular components involved in certain specific conformational changes in voltage gated potassium channels. We are also investigating the structural basis for ion permeation and selectivity of these and related channels. Another research topic in the laboratory is a study of the roles of chloride channels in secretory cells of the parotid gland. This work includes patch clamp analysis of the chloride channels expressed in these cells as well as efforts directed toward channel cloning.

Recent Publications

Begenisich, T., T. Nakamoto, C. Ovitt, K. Nehrke, C. Brugnara, S. L. Alper, and J. E. Melvin. 2004. Physiological roles of the intermediate conductance, Ca²⁺-activated K channel, Kcnn4. J. Biol. Chem. 279:47681-47687.

Melvin, J. E., D. Yule, T. Shuttleworth, and T. Begenisich. 2005. Regulation of fluid and electrolyte secretion in salivary gland acinar cells. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 67:445-469.

Thompson, J. and T. Begenisich. 2005. Two stable, conducting conformations of the selectivity filter in Shaker K⁺ channels. J. Gen. Physiol. 125:619-629.

PubMed Publication List

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