My research objectives are to clarify the gating mechanism of voltage-gated ion channels at the structural level, elucidating its functional relationship to a channel state. The work is carried out using Xenopus-oocyte-expressed Shaker potassium channels, employing macropatch recordings of ion current, current fluctuations, single channels and gating currents.

Somodi S, Varga Z, Hajdu P, Starkus JG, Levy DI, Gaspar R, Panyi G. (2004). pH-dependent modulation of Kv1.3 inactivation: role of His399. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 287(4):C1067-76.

Starkus JG, Varga Z, Schonherr R, Heinemann SH. (2003) Mechanisms of the inhibition of Shaker potassium channels by protons. Pflugers Arch. 447(1):44-54.

Varga, Z., M.D. Rayner and J.G. Starkus (2002) Cations affect the rate of gating charge recovery in wild-type and W434F Shaker channels through a variety of mechanisms. J. Gen. Physiol. 119(5): 467-486.

Starkus, J.G., S. H. Heinemann, and M.D. Rayner (2000). Voltage dependence of slow inactivation in Shaker potassium channels results from changes in relative K+ and Na+ permeabilites. J. Gen. Physiol. 115:107-122.

Bao, H., A. Hakeen, M. Henteleff, J.G. Starkus and M.D. Rayner (1999). Voltage-insensitive gating charge-neutralizing mutations in the S4 segment of Shaker channels. J.Gen Physiol. 113:139-151.

Starkus, J.G., Lioba Kuschel, Martin D. Rayner and Stefan Heinemann (1998). Macroscopic Na currents in non conducting W434F Shaker potassium channel mutants. J. Gen. Physiol. 112:85-93.

Ruben, P.C., A. Fleig, D. Featherstone, J.G. Starkus and M.D. Rayner (1997). Effects of clamp rise-time on Rat Brain IIA sodium channels in Xenopus oocytes. J. Neruosci. Methods 73:113-122.