The research laboratory of
Prof. Ilana Lotan

We have a long standing interest in the study of molecular mechanisms of modulation of voltage gated K⁺ (Kv) channels by interaction with signaling molecules. We were first to describe modulation of a brain Kv channel by major protein components of the exocytotic machinery. Since then our main focus is the role of Kv channels in transmitter and hormone release from neuroendocrine and pancreatic islet β cells, finding that it may be far more than just repolarizing membrane potential: independent of K⁺ currents but mediated by protein-protein interactions with the SNARE proteins (syntaxin 1A, SNAP-25 and VAMP2 (synaptobrevin)), essential to the process of Ca²⁺ regulated release. We find that the dual actions of the channel, through its currents and via its interaction with the SNAREs, in combination, may reinforce the known activity dependence of dense core vesicle exocytosis and relevant to therapy of type-2 diabetes. Read More »