2018 participants
Emma Carter
Epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) mediate active reabsorption of sodium across epithelia apical membranes, essential for body salt maintenance and water homeostasis. There are two isoforms of ENaC’s, differing in one subunit. The South African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) was used to study the physiology and molecular regulation of these isoforms, where it was found that one form was more sensitive to extracellular sodium concentration and extracellular pH than the other. To follow up this research we are interested in whether sensitivity to extracellular chloride concentration also differs between isoforms. This will be tested on Xenopus laevis oocytes, by expressing one of the ENaC isoforms in the plasma membrane, where the activity in response to chloride will then be measured. This will allow us to see any differences in response to extracellular chloride, and to determine if the activity of the isoforms depends on extracellular chloride.
Funding source: Psychological Society
Supervisor: Dr Mike Althaus