Nael A. McCarty, PhD
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Associate Professor
Cystic Fibrosis Scientist, Emory Center for Respiratory Health
Email: [email protected]
Research office phone: Arriving in January 2008
Fax: 404-712-9712
Curriculum Vitae
Research Interests:
The primary focus of Dr. McCarty’s work is the
molecular physiology of membrane proteins,
especially ion channels and receptors that regulate
them. Over the past thirteen years as an
independent scientist, this work has predominantly
centered upon the cystic fibrosis transmembrane
conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, which is
the locus of the primary defect in cystic fibrosis
(CF). CFTR is a member of the ABC Transporter
superfamily, which forms a Cl--selective ion
channel in the membranes of many cell types of
epithelial origin; CFTR also serves as the main
pathway for transport of glutathione in the airway. The primary research goal of his lab is the
development of a functional map of CFTR’s essential domains, to facilitate the design of
novel therapies. They apply high-resolution electrophysiological
approaches, combined with molecular biological techniques, to
achieve this goal. Recent work includes the development of
novel assays and reagents for determination of the structure and
mechanism of both ion permeation and gating within the channel
pore; we have the first evidence for changes in the physical shape
of the channel pore associated with gating between open and
closed states.
While at Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr. McCarty broadened
his perspective beyond CFTR to include work on other ion
channels relevant to airway epithelial cells and also on receptors
that regulate many physiological processes, including ion channel
activity. His lab has isolated a peptide toxin that inhibits CFTR:
this is the first peptide toxin targeting a chloride channel of known
molecular identity; this is also the first state-dependent inhibitor of
CFTR. They also isolated a separate toxin active at the ClC-2
voltage-gated chloride channel, which is also expressed in epithelial cells of the airway.
Hence, Dr. McCarty’s lab has pioneered the isolation and use of peptide inhibitors of
chloride channels, a major accomplishment during his time at
Georgia Tech. Finally, his lab is also interested in understanding
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), the targets of the vast
majority of pharmaceuticals on the market. GPCRs have recently
been shown to heterodimerize in many cell types. However, the
functional consequences of heterodimerization are unknown.
They are using novel approaches to
determine how receptor function differs
upon heterodimerization. Importantly,
these activities encompass three of the
seven research areas of emphasis targeted
for growth at Emory: Epithelial Biology,
Neuroscience, and Molecular Structure &
Interactions. Dr. McCarty is also
involved in several other collaborative
projects at Georgia Tech and at Emory,
as well as with long-term colleagues at
the CF Center at UAB.
Ongoing projects in the McCarty lab at Emory include:
Project 1: Probing the dynamic nature of the CFTR chloride channel pore.
Project 2: Isolation and characterization of a peptide toxin active at CFTR chloride channels.
Project 3: Isolation and characterization of a peptide toxin active at ClC-2 chloride channels.
Project 4: Determining the functional consequences of heterodimerization among
cardiovascular-relevant G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
Project 5: Identification of chemoreceptors involved in chemical defense pathways.
Project 6: The role of CFTR in regulating the airway microenvironment.