Analysis of a Newly-Identified Voltage-Activated Potassium Current in Drosophila

钾通道是一种细胞蛋白，在神经、肌肉和其他细胞的生理功能中发挥着至关重要的作用。一种以前未知的新型钾通道(命名为IKF)已经被发现。本项目将研究：(I)该通道如何发挥作用，(Ii)哪些药物与该通道相互作用以抑制或增强其活性，以及(Iii)参与调节该通道的细胞内信号机制是什么。这些通道特性将使用测量通道电活动的方法在一个非常适合遗传操作的模型系统中进行研究。电气测量将提供有关通道功能的信息。药理作用的研究将通过测量应用各种药物和毒素后的通道功能来进行。同样，使用药物和影响钾通道功能的基因扰动将提供有关调节通道的途径的信息。最近的基因组革命导致了大量编码钾通道的基因的发现。相比之下，在生理水平上识别的通道相对较少，包括IKF通道。该项目将有助于理解IKF通道的生理作用，并随后将允许在通道和编码该通道的基因之间建立联系。这项研究将为理解IKF及其相关通道在正常细胞生理中的作用提供一个基本的框架。此外，这项工作将通过为寻求生物科学和药理学职业的本科生和研究生提供培训，为科学的基础设施做出贡献。

Potassium channels are cellular proteins that play a vital role in physiological functioning of the nerves, muscles and other cells. A previously unknown novel type of potassium channel (named IKF) has been identified. This project will study: (i) how this channel functions, (ii) what pharmacological agents interact with this channel to either inhibit or enhance its activity, and (iii) what intracellular signaling mechanisms are involved in modulating this channel. These channel properties will be studied using methods that measure electrical activity of the channel in a model system that is well suited to genetic manipulation. The electrical measurements will provide information about the functioning of the channel. Effects of pharmacological agents will be studied by measuring the function of the channel after applying various drugs and toxins. Similarly, the use of drugs and genetic perturbations that effect the functioning of the channel will provide information on pathways that modulate the channel.The recent genomic revolution has led to the discovery of a large number of genes that code for potassium channels. In contrast, relatively few channels, including the IKF channel, have been identified at the physiological level. This project will help understand the physiological role of the IKF channel and will subsequently allow the establishment of a link between the channel and the gene that codes for it. The study will provide a fundamental framework for understanding the role of IKF and related channels in normal cellular physiology. Furthermore, this work will contribute to the infrastructure of science by providing training to undergraduate and graduate students pursing careers in the biological and the pharmacological sciences.