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The main focus of the Pajor lab is to understand the transport mechanism of sodium-coupled transporters, particularly the Na+/dicarboxylate cotransporters (NaDC) from the SLC13 family. NaDC1, the low affinity transporter, is found in the kidney and small intestine where it is involved in absorbing citric acid cycle intermediates such as succinate, citrate and a-ketoglutarate into the cells. The transport activity of NaDC1 may affect many processes in the body including the development of kidney stones, regulation of blood pressure, secretion of organic anion drugs and xenobiotics, and determination of lifespan. Our main interest is the relationship between structure and function in NaDC1 (and its bacterial homolog SdcS), and the identification of substrate and cation binding sites. Recent studies include characterization of a new inhibitor of NaDC1, which may serve as a prodrug for further development. A second project in the lab examines the interaction of a new class of diabetes drugs and their target, the renal Na+/glucose cotransporter SGLT2.

Track(s):
Physiology
Molecular Pharmacology