My laboratory research focuses on the physiology and pharmacology of isolated cardiac myocytes from various regions (SA node, atrium, ventricle, Purkinje system) of the mammalian heart. At present we are focusing on several membrane currents and transporters: (a) the Na/K pump current, (b) the pacemaker current, (c) the delayed rectifier, (d) the inward rectifier, and (e) the transient outward current. We are interested in the effects of the autonomic transmitters and the changes that occur during growth and development.
A second area of investigation is the relation between the structure and function of ion channels. We are presently studying two K+ currents, the delayed rectifier iK, and the transient outward current iTO from canine heart. These studies involve extraction of mRNA and expression of this message in Xenopus oocytes. From these studies we hope to understand more about the determinants of K channel function.
Cui, J., Kline, R.P., Pennefather, P. and Cohen, I.S. Gating of IsK expressed in Xenopus oocytes depends on the amount of mRNA injected. Journal of General Physiology 104:87-105, 1994.
Yu, H., Chang, F. and Cohen, I.S. Pacemaker current if in adult cardiac ventricular myocytes. Journal of Physiology 485:469-483, 1995.
Gao, J., Mathias, R.T., Cohen, I.S. and Baldo, G.J. Two functionally different Na/K pumps in cardiac myocytes from guinea pig ventricles. Journal of General Physiology 106:995-1030, 1995.
Vassalle, M., Yu, H. and Cohen, I.S. The pacemaker current in cardiac Purkinje myocytes. Journal of General Physiology 106:559-578, 1995.
Last updated 6/19/96