Research Interest

Genomics and cell biology of the cardiovascular and reproductive systems. Molecular remodeling and cell trafficking of ion channels. Molecular pathways of heart ion channel regulation in functional and pathological states.

Representative Publications

Olcese, R., Sigg, D., Latorre, R., Bezanilla, F. and E. Stefani. A conducting state with properties of a slow inactivated state in a Shaker K+ channel mutant. Journal of General Physiology 117:149-164, 2001.

Marijic J, Li Q, Song M, Nishimaru K, E. Stefani, and L. Toro. Decreased Expression of Voltage- and Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels in Coronary Smooth Muscle During Aging. Circulation Research 88:210-216, 2001.

Zarei, M.M., Zhu, N., Alioua, A., Eghbali, M., E. Stefani, and L. Toro. . A novel MaxiK splice variant exhibits dominant negative properties for surface expression. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 276:16232-16239, 2001.

Song M., Helguera G., Eghbali M., Zhu N., Zarei M. M., Olcese R., Toro L. and E. Stefani. Remodeling of Kv4.3 potassium channel gene expression under the control of sex hormones. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 276:31883-90, 2001.

Zhang Z., Tang J., Tikunova S., Johnson J.D., Chen Z., Qin N., Dietrich A., E. Stefani, Birnbaumer L., and Zhu M.X. Activation of Trp3 by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors through displacement of inhibitory calmodulin from a common binding domain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 98:3168-3173, 2001.

Eghbali M., Olcese R., Zarei M. M., Toro, L. and Stefani E. External pore collapse as an inactivation mechanism for Kv4.3 K+ channels. Journal of Membrane Biology. Journal of Membrane Biology 188:73-86, 2002.

Alioua A., Mahajan A., Nishimaru K., Zarei M. M., E. Stefani, and Ligia Toro. Coupling of c-Src to large conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ channels as a new mechanism of agonist-induced vasoconstriction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 22:14560-5, 2002.

Toro, L., Marijic J., Nishimaru K., Tanaka Y., Song M., and E. Stefani. Aging, ion channel expression, and vascular function. Vascular Pharmacology 38:73-80, 2002.

Sigg D., Bezanilla F. and E. Stefani. Fast gating in the Shaker K+ channel and the energy landscape of activation Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA. In review process.