Clifford Slayman, PhD
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Research Summary
Our research into the molecular mechanisms of charge-dependent transport across biological membranes is directed toward two classes of proton pumps (P-type and V-type), a family of proton-coupled potassium transporters (TRK proteins), and a peculiar group of potassium channels which form as intramembrane homodimers (TOKs). All of these are studied in microorganisms, especially fungi, made accessible by full-genome sequences and by advanced electrophysiological techniques. A new, completely unexpected, direction for this research as been the investigation of interactions between specific membrane proteins and the rapidly growing catalogue of small proteins known as “host-defense peptides” or Ribosomally synthesized AntiMicrobial peptides (“RAMPs”). Some of these kill microorganisms by directly forming membrane pores, but more act by stealth, subverting the functions of surface proteins by reaction from the cell interior. One group of RAMPs, the salivary histatins, kills each of our three current “model” organisms: Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Neurospora crassa, by a different molecular route.
Specialized Terms: Charge-dependent Transport; Proton Pumps; Potassium channels; Ribosomally Synthesized AntiMicrobial Peptides (RAMPs)
Research Interests
Fungi; Physiology; Potassium Channels; Proton Pumps; Histatins
Selected Publications
- A structural model for facultative anion channels in an oligomeric membrane protein: the yeast TRK (K+) systemPardo JP, González-Andrade M, Allen K, Kuroda T, Slayman CL, Rivetta A. A structural model for facultative anion channels in an oligomeric membrane protein: the yeast TRK (K+) system. Pflügers Archiv - European Journal Of Physiology 2015, 467: 2447-2460. PMID: 26100673, DOI: 10.1007/s00424-015-1712-6.
- Yeast Fex1p Is a Constitutively Expressed Fluoride Channel with Functional Asymmetry of Its Two Homologous Domains*Smith KD, Gordon PB, Rivetta A, Allen KE, Berbasova T, Slayman C, Strobel SA. Yeast Fex1p Is a Constitutively Expressed Fluoride Channel with Functional Asymmetry of Its Two Homologous Domains*. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2015, 290: 19874-19887. PMID: 26055717, PMCID: PMC4528147, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.651976.
- Coordination of K+ Transporters in Neurospora: TRK1 Is Scarce and Constitutive, while HAK1 Is Abundant and Highly RegulatedRivetta A, Allen KE, Slayman CW, Slayman CL. Coordination of K+ Transporters in Neurospora: TRK1 Is Scarce and Constitutive, while HAK1 Is Abundant and Highly Regulated. MSphere 2013, 12: 684-696. PMID: 23475706, PMCID: PMC3647778, DOI: 10.1128/ec.00017-13.
- Anion currents in yeast K+ transporters (TRK) characterize a structural homologue of ligand-gated ion channelsRivetta A, Kuroda T, Slayman C. Anion currents in yeast K+ transporters (TRK) characterize a structural homologue of ligand-gated ion channels. Pflügers Archiv - European Journal Of Physiology 2011, 462: 315-330. PMID: 21556692, PMCID: PMC3151154, DOI: 10.1007/s00424-011-0959-9.
- Conservation and dispersion of sequence and function in fungal TRK potassium transporters: focus on Candida albicansMiranda M, Bashi E, Vylkova S, Edgerton M, Slayman C, Rivetta A. Conservation and dispersion of sequence and function in fungal TRK potassium transporters: focus on Candida albicans. FEMS Yeast Research 2009, 9: 278-292. PMID: 19175416, DOI: 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2008.00471.x.
- Quantitative Modeling of Chloride Conductance in Yeast TRK Potassium TransportersRivetta A, Slayman C, Kuroda T. Quantitative Modeling of Chloride Conductance in Yeast TRK Potassium Transporters. Biophysical Journal 2005, 89: 2412-2426. PMID: 16040756, PMCID: PMC1366741, DOI: 10.1529/biophysj.105.066712.
- The TRK1 Potassium Transporter Is the Critical Effector for Killing of Candida albicans by the Cationic Protein, Histatin 5*Baev D, Rivetta A, Vylkova S, Sun JN, Zeng GF, Slayman CL, Edgerton M. The TRK1 Potassium Transporter Is the Critical Effector for Killing of Candida albicans by the Cationic Protein, Histatin 5*. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2004, 279: 55060-55072. PMID: 15485849, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m411031200.
- Chloride Channel Function in the Yeast TRK-Potassium TransportersKuroda T, Bihler H, Bashi E, Slayman CL, Rivetta A. Chloride Channel Function in the Yeast TRK-Potassium Transporters. The Journal Of Membrane Biology 2004, 198: 177-192. PMID: 15216418, DOI: 10.1007/s00232-004-0671-1.
- Electrophysiology in the eukaryotic model cell Saccharomyces cerevisiaeBertl A, Bihler H, Kettner C, Slayman CL. Electrophysiology in the eukaryotic model cell Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Pflügers Archiv - European Journal Of Physiology 1998, 436: 999-1013. PMID: 9799419, DOI: 10.1007/s004240050735.