Donglin Bai
Associate Professor
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PH.D. University of Cambridge |
I am interested in defining the functional domains/residues of connexin molecule in determining the gap junction channel properties, such as docking, Vj-gating, single channel conductance, and delineating how gap junction mutants causing human diseases. We use molecular engineering method to generate mutant connexins and use dual patch clamp, dye-transfer and fluorescent imaging techniques to investigate the functional outcomes. We also use genetically modified mouse models to study the functional defects of gap junction mutants in vivo.
Xin, L., Nakagawa, S., Tsukihara, T. and Bai, D. (2012) Aspartic acid residue D3 critically determines Cx50 gap junction channel transjunctional voltage-dependent gating and unitary conductance. Biophysical J 102, 1022-1031 Nakagawa, S.†, Gong, X.Q.†, Maeda, S., Dong, Y., Misumi, Y., Tsukihara, T. and Bai, D. (2011) Asparagine175 of connexin32 is a critical residue for docking and forming functional heterotypic gap junction channels with connexin26. J Biol Chem. 286, 19672-19681 M.H. Gollob, D.L. Jones, A.D. Krahn, L. Danis, X.Q. Gong, Q. Shao, X. Liu, J.P. Veinot, A.S.L. Tang, A. Stewart, F. Tesson, G.J. Klein, R. Yee, A.C. Skanes, G.M. Guiraudon, L. Ebihara, D. Bai (2006) Somatic mutations in the connexin 40 gene (GJA5) in atrial fibrillation. New Eng J Med 354, 2677-26883. Bai, D., Zhu, G., Pennefather, P., Jackson, M., MacDonald, J.F. and Orser, B.A. (2001) Distinct functional and pharmacological properties of tonic and quantal inhibitory postsynaptic currents mediated by g-aminobutyric acid A receptors in hippocampal neurons. Mol Pharm 59, 814-824
