KIMBERLY DAY FISHER

First Year Student 2004-2005                                         

Email address: kifisher@wfubmc.edu

Education: B.S. Biology, B.S. Genetics,
                  University of Georgia, 2006
                  
Advisor: Dr. Scott Hemby, PhD

Current Research:

My research focuses on the alpha subunit of the non-gastric H⁺,K⁺-ATPase, HKα2, which is also found in the transverse and sigmoid colon, in many colorectal tumors, and most densely in the kidney.  The human homolog of the subunit, ATP1AL1 (accession number NC_000013.9), possibly plays a role in acid-base and potassium homeostasis.  Expression increases when an animal is K⁺-deprived.  There have been limited studies on the renal version of this ATPase, which may have a role in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases such as renal tubular acidosis (RTA). 

Characterization of HKα2 (ATP1AL1) involves several methods:

Western blot detection of HKα2 and PYK2, a pyruvate kinase involved in acid-base homeostasis, can be used to isolate the proteins from in a variety of sample types:  HEK-293 and outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) cells in culture, as well as kidney samples from mice, non-human primates, and human.

PCR amplification of regions of DNA encoding HKα2 (ATP1AL1) and PYK2 detects the presence of these genes in different parts of the nephron as well as in different sample types.

Site-directed mutagenesis of specific regions of the genes reveal which are important in H⁺,K⁺-ATPase function.  This is currently being done in E. coli cells in hopes of acquiring a mutant strain.    

Publications, Abstracts, and Presentations:

Honors and Awards: