Section: Rotations

William Kobertz, Ph.D.

Academic Role: Associate Professor

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology

Other Affiliation(s):
   Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
   Program in Neuroscience

Potential Rotation Projects

Project #1.  Mapping K⁺ channel—partner protein interactions:  Some K⁺ channels must co-assemble with membrane-embedded b-subunits for proper physiological function.  In this project, we are mapping the protein-protein interactions between the KCNQ1 K⁺ channel and a family of transmembrane peptides:  the KCNEs.  To map out these protein-protein interactions, several different techniques will be used.  These include, but are not limited to, membrane protein biochemistry, chemical modification, and electrophysiology.

Project #2.   Assembly and trafficking of K⁺ channel complexes:  Efficient assembly and trafficking of K⁺ channel complexes is critical for physiological function.  Several mutations that prevent the assembly and trafficking of the KCNQ1-KCNE1 K⁺ channel complex give rise to cardiac arrhythmias and congenital deafness.  This rotation project involves measuring the rates of ER-exit, cell surface internalization and recycling of wild type and mutant K⁺ channel complexes.  These rates will be measured using cell surface and pulse-chase labeling methods.  Immunofluorescence will also be utilized for visualization and co-localization of K⁺ channel complexes in fixed and living cells.

Project #3.   Synthesis of Small Molecules for probing K⁺ channel structure and function:  Several basic structure/function questions remain with K⁺ channel complexes:  (1) What is the stoichiometry of a functioning complex? (2)  Do multiple KCNE partnering proteins assemble with one K⁺ channel?  (3) Do sub- or super-stoichiometric complexes exist?  For this rotation project, we are synthesizing novel small molecule probes and using them in combination with electrophysiology to address these and other basic structural questions about K⁺ channel complexes.

Office: LRB 804, lab 840A-C
Phone: 508-856-8861
E-mail: William.Kobertz@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Biophysics, Ion Channels, Biochemistry, Membrane Protein Structure & Function, Chemical Biology

More on William Kobertz's Research Research | Publications | Rotations | Personnel | Biography View All Sections on One Page