Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension

Peter Vassilev, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Vassilev investigates the regulation of ion channels by membrane receptors, specifically the CaR, and their role in stimulus-secretion coupling in endocrine tissue (specifically the adrenal glomerulosa cell), epithelial cells and vascular tissue. In studies conducted with Dr. Jing Zhou, he also has identified and is studying the single channel activities of the polycystic kidney-related genes, polycystin-L and polycystin-2. He showed that these are Ca²⁺-permeable cation channels that are probably important for normal tubulogenesis. Mutations of the genes encoding the polycystin proteins cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), characterized not only by tubule disturbances resulting in renal failure but also by hypertension and aneurysm formation.