OHSU discovers molecular channel that regulates blood pressure

Breakthrough could lead to ‘new and better blood pressure medications’

By Erik Robinson September 25, 2018 Portland, Oregon

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(Left to right) Sigrid Noreng, Richard Posert, Isabelle Baconguis, Ph.D., Arpita Bharadwaj and Craig Yoshioka, Ph.D., authored a paper that reveals the three-dimensional structure of a membrane channel that is critical in controlling blood pressure. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Arpita Bharadwaj

Senior research assistant Arpita Bharadwaj. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Craig Yoshioka Ph.D. (2018)

Craig Yoshioka, Ph.D., research assistant professor of biomedical engineering in the OHSU School of Medicine. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Isabelle Baconguis Ph.D. (2018)

Isabelle Baconguis, Ph.D., assistant professor in the OHSU Vollum Institute. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Sigrid Noreng

Graduate student Sigrid Noreng. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Richard Posert

Graduate student Richard Posert. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Human epithelial sodium channel model

Using a cryo-electron microscope, researchers at OHSU generated a three-dimensional model of the human epithelial sodium channel. The channel is critical in controlling blood pressure, among other functions in the body. (OHSU)