Susan Tsunoda, PhDAssociate Professor Phone: 970-491-3665 Member Education |
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Research Interests
Our research focuses on the localization, regulation, and function of voltage-gated K+ channels. Shal (Kv4) K+ channels are the most highly conserved of the voltage-gated K+ channels, in sequence, function, as well as subcellular localization. Across species, Shal K+ channel genes share more than 80% sequence identity, encode transient A-type K+ currents, and display a somato-dendritic distribution in neurons. We use Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study: how Shal K+ channels are targeted to somato-dendritic domains and excluded from axons, how their biophysical properties are regulated by other proteins, how their expression is regulated by activity, and what role Shal K+ channels play in excitability, synaptic function and integration. We combine a variety of approaches, including electrophysiology, imaging, Drosophila genetics, and molecular and cell biological techniques, to answer questions more difficult to address in mammals.
Featured Publications
Ping Y, Tsunoda S. 2011. Inactivity-induced increase in nAChRs up-regulates Shal K+ channels to stabilize synaptic potentials. Nature Neuroscience. In press.
Ping Y, Waro G, Licursi A, Smith S, Vo-Ba D, Tsunoda S. 2011. Shal/Kv4 channels are required for maintaining excitability during repetitive firing and normal locomotion and grooming in Drosophila. PLoS One 6(1):e16043.
Diao F, Chaufty J, Waro G, Tsunoda S. 2010. SIDL interacts with the dendritic localization motif of Shal (Kv4) K+ channels in Drosophila. Molec Cell Neurosci 45(1):75-83.
Diao F, Waro G, Tsunoda S. 2009. Fast inactivation of Shal (Kv4) K+ channels in Drosophila neurons is regulated by the novel interactor SKIP3. Molec Cell Neurosci 42:33-44.
Sanxaridis P, Cronin MA, Rawat SS, Waro G, Acharya U, Tsunoda S. 2007. Light-induced recruitment of INAD-signaling complexes to detergent-resistant lipid rafts in Drosophila photoreceptors. Molec Cell Neurosci 36:36-46.
Cronin MA, Lieu M-H, Tsunoda S. 2006. Two stage of light-dependent TRPL-channel translocation in Drosophila photoreceptors. J Cell Sci 119:2935-2944.
Cronin MA, Diao F, Tsunoda S. 2004. Light-dependent subcellular translocation of Gqa in Drosophila photoreceptors is facilitated by the photoreceptor-specific myosin III, NINAC. J Cell Sci 117:4797-4806.
Tsunoda S, Sun Y, Suzuji E, Zuker CS. 2001. Independent anchoring and assembly mechanisms of INAD signaling complexes in Drosophila photoreceptors. J Neurosci 21:150-158.
Tsunoda S, Sierralta J, Sun Y, Bodner R, Suzuki E, Becker A, Socolich M, Zuker CS. 1997. A multivalent PDZ-domain protein assembles signalling complexes in a G-protein-coupled cascade. Nature 388:243-249.
Tsunoda S, Salkoff L. 1995. The major delayed rectifier in both Drosophila neurons and muscle is encoded by Shab. J Neurosci 15:5209-5221.
Tsunoda S, Salkoff L. 1995. Genetic analysis of Drosophila neurons: Shal, Shaw, and Shab encode most embryonic potassium currents. J. Neurosci 15:1741-1754.
Butler A, Tsunoda S, McCobb D, Wei A, Salkoff L. 1993. mSlo, a complex mouse gene encoding "Maxi" calcium-activated potassium channels. Science 261:221-224.
