Dr. Staruschenko’s laboratory has established and characterized several novel signaling mechanisms in the regulation of ENaC-mediated sodium reabsorption and some other ion channels, including Kir4.1/Kir5.1, in the distal nephron.  First, he was able to identify and directly prove that ENaC activity is inappropriately upregulated in the setting of salt-sensitive hypertension.  A combination of electrophysiological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, microscopy, and chronic studies in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro were used to provide mechanistic insights into how ion channels contribute to salt-induced hypertension in Dahl SS rats.  Furthermore, his recent studies reveal the critical role of Kir4.1/Kir5.1 heteromeric channel in the distal nephron.  Several mechanisms modulating the activity of these channels were uncovered.  Representative publications:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35380994/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33232300/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28931751/