35th Annual Student Research Conference
The Effect of Zinc on Activation of CFTR by Beta2 Adrenergic Receptor
Sydnie A. Andell
Dr. Stephen Hudman and Dr. Yohei Norimatsu (A.T. Still University), Faculty Mentors
The Zinc project aims to determine where along the pathway from Beta2 Adrenergic Receptor (B2AR) to CFTR zinc is causing CFTR channel inhibition. The inhibitory response is important to understand because the channel having low activity levels or dysfunction is what causes issues in cystic fibrosis patients. Determining where zinc inhibits CFTR could allow it to be a more effective tool in finding a treatment for CF. Performing cAMP experiments on Xenopus laevis oocytes has been effective in determining whether zinc inhibits before or after adenylyl cyclase in the B2AR to CFTR pathway. By introducing exogenous cAMP with and without zinc to the oocyte, we were able to determine that zinc causes inhibition after adenylyl cyclase. This prompts further research on the two potential pathways zinc could inhibit, protein kinase or phosphatase. We plan to investigate these with similar experiments including a phosphatase inhibitor to narrow down the inhibitory pathway.
Keywords: Zinc, Electrophysiology, CFTR, B2AR
Topic(s):Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 2-18
Location: SUB Activities Room
Time: 4:15