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Federico Sesti
Professor
UMDNJ-RWJMS
Department of Physiology & Biophysics
RWJMS Research Building. Room 156
683 Hoes Lane
Piscataway. NJ 08854
(732) 235-4032
FAX - 5038
sestife@umdnj.edu |
Physiology. structure and function of
potassium channels. role of potassium channels in causing disease
The laboratory studies the physiology, regulation and biophysics of
potassium (K+) channels. These membrane proteins modulate the activity of
excitable cells and shape signaling events in non-excitable cells such as
hormone and transmitter release. We employ a multidisciplinary approach that
integrates techniques such as molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics,
optical imaging and electrophysiology. We study K+ channels in two general
systems: the genetically tractable worm Caenorhabditis elegans and
mammalian heterologous expression systems in which cDNA clones of channels
can be studied background-free, under controlled experimental conditions.
This approach enables us to bridge in the same organism, genes, proteins,
and behavior. We are currently pursuing three areas of research:
Oxidation of K+ channels and neurodegeneration
One theory of aging, the free-radical theory, posits that organisms age
because cells accumulate highly reactive, and therefore potentially
toxic—molecules known as reactive oxygen species or ROS. Bearing an umpaired
electron ROS can oxidize a variety of cellular components causing
significant cellular damage. Current projects are aimed at understanding how
ROS-mediated oxidation of K+ channels impact the progressive decline in
neuronal function which is part of the normal aging process and
neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s.
K+ channels and learning
We recently identified a K+ channel complex, termed KHT-1-MPS-1, homolog to
mammalian Kv3.1-KCNE2, which is key to a simple, yet fundamental, form of
learning: habituation. Current projects focus on identifying key genes that
regulate the expression/trafficking of this channel complex.
A primitive heart model
Mammalian hearts evolved from primitive pumps that appeared more than 500
millions years ago. More recent developments incude peristaltic pumps in
Drosophila and in C. elegans (pharynx). We have begun to develop
the pharynx of C. elegans into a simple model of the heart. Current
projects are aimed at identifying aging genes that protect the function of
the pharynx during aging.
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