# K+ channel complexes: assembly, trafficking and function

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2020 · $400,901

## Abstract

The long-term goal of this research is to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that
ensure potassium (K+) channels assemble with the appropriate membrane-embedded regulatory
subunits for proper physiological function in the heart, muscle, and nerve. In the previous
funding period, we developed an innovative approach to label the t-tubules and sarcolemma of
cardiomyocytes with either small molecule or protein-based K+-sensitive fluorophores. For this
proposal, we will use our fluorescent bioconjugates to test the long standing hypothesis that K+
accumulates faster in the t-tubules to protect the heart during physical activity (Aim 1); to
fluorescently visualize specific ion channel activity in order to identify the K+ channel/KCNE
complexes responsible for maintaining cardiac rhythmicity (Aim 2). The completion of these
aims will yield a transformative set of methodologies to directly investigate extracellular K+
accumulation from heart, muscle, and nerve cells isolated from healthy and disease animal
models.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9842840
- **Project number:** 5R01GM070650-15
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** WILLIAM R KOBERTZ
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $400,901
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2005-04-01 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9842840

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9842840, K+ channel complexes: assembly, trafficking and function (5R01GM070650-15). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9842840. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*