ORCID
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7047-6982
Date of Award
Winter 12-15-2021
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Type
Dissertation
Abstract
Much work has been carried out to understand the composition, structure, and function of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in mammalian tissues, as well as the molecular basis of the channelopathies that result from loss-of-function or gain-of-function mutations in these channels. These studies have also highlighted that the available pharmacology to treat such diseases is limited. To overcome such limitations, a better understanding of the tissue specificity of expression, the exact mechanisms linking the molecular dysfunction to the development of complex pathophysiology, the potential for reducing cross-reactivity of drugs, and ultimately more specific therapies are needed. The work described in this thesis initially considers zebrafish as a model organism to further understand KATP channel physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Detailed methods are described to isolate cardiac and vascular myocytes for patch-clamp studies. Using these methods, the molecular make-up and properties of zebrafish atrial, ventricular and vascular smooth muscle KATP channels are described, showing that the subunit expression is the same as in equivalent mammalian tissues, validating zebrafish as relevant models of human Cantu Syndrome. Additional studies reveal previously unrecognized secondary consequences of genetic manipulation of KATP channels – including decreased KATP channel expression in the case of a gain-of-function neonatal diabetes mutation and the up-regulation of an unknown large-conductance ATP-insensitive K+ channel accompanying KATP down-regulation in pancreatic β-cells – providing novel hypotheses that may help to explain associated KATP channelopathies.
Language
English (en)
Chair
Colin G. Nichols
Committee Members
Maria S. Remedi
Comments
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