The Role of S100 Proteins in the Regulation of Ion Channel Function

Project Member(s): Valenzuela, S.

Start year: 2002

Summary: Members of the S100 family of calcium modulated proteins, S100A8 and S100A9, were initially identified as the cystic fibrosis (CF) antigen, which is found in elevated levele in the serum and lungs of patients with CF. CF is a disease which is due to a failure of ion channel function. However, there is virutally nothing known regarding S100A8/A9 interactions with ion channels, and specifically the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) and their contributions to the pathophysiology of CF. We propose to investigate the role of S100 proteins in regluating ion channel function. The results of this project will help to identify novel ways of controlling ion channel function that will have important implicatinos for many disease states, including cystic fibrosis.

FOR Codes: Animal Physiology-Cell, Cell Physiology, Pathology, Inherited diseases (incl. gene therapy), Clinical (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions), Biological sciences, Animal Physiology - Cell