How human proton channels (HV1) are controlled
Control Mechanisms of Human Voltage Gated Proton Channels, hHv1
Learning how a tiny protein channel called HV1 works in human cells to help people with conditions like stroke, some cancers, and immune disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260160 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will map the parts of the HV1 protein and test how each part controls when the channel opens and closes. They will use laboratory methods that reveal the protein's structure and measure proton flow in human cells and model systems. The team will connect those molecular findings to how HV1 affects immune cell killing, histamine release, sperm function, and airway fluid balance. This detailed work aims to identify the specific control points that could be targeted by future drugs for conditions such as ischemic brain injury, breast cancer metastasis, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ischemic stroke, breast cancer at risk of metastasis, or chronic lymphocytic leukemia could eventually be candidates for therapies developed from these findings.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to benefit now because this is basic laboratory research focused on mechanisms rather than a clinical therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new drug targets to reduce brain damage after stroke, slow cancer spread, or change immune cell behavior.
How similar studies have performed: Researchers have previously discovered HV1 and linked it to several diseases, but detailed control mechanisms are still being worked out, so this builds on early promising findings rather than testing an established treatment.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Rush University Medical Center — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Decoursey, Thomas E — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Decoursey, Thomas E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.