NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for FY 2000

Estevez, Ana Y, Nashville TN

Investigators

Abstract

This action funds an NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for 2000. The research and training plan is in the area of Biomolecular Processes and is entitled "G-protein Regulation of a Volume-Sensitive Anion Channel". This research examines the ability of cells to sense and respond to changes in cell volume, a vital housekeeping activity that also serves important roles in growth, proliferation, and apoptosis or "programmed cell death". Cell volume homeostasis is mediated primarily by ion channels, or Volume-Sensitive Organic Osmolyte Anion Channels (VSOAC), which release chloride and other organic osmolytes in response to swelling. Initial studies have demonstrated that these VSOACs are stimulated by G-protein activiation. This research investigates 1. The role of Rho GTPase and cell swelling on VSOAC activation, and 2. The role of actin cytoskeleton, the cell's "skeleton" whose structure and function are known to be regulated by Rho GTPase.