Welcome to the Hund Lab

Normal heart function depends on the coordinate function of complex signaling networks, comprised of kinases, phosphatases, cytoskeletal and adapter molecules, and effector and target proteins. Our research addresses the molecular pathways responsible for regulation of membrane ion channels, cell excitability and heart function. 

Our studies have identified a critical role for a spectrin-based signaling complex in regulating voltage gated Na+ channel activity and cardiac cell excitability.  We show that betaIV-spectrin, an actin-associated polypeptide, targets the multifunctional calmodulin kinase II to a specialized membrane domain for regulation of Na+ channel activity.  Disruption of this spectrin-based complex results in abnormal Na+ channel function, cell excitability and heart function.  These studies identify a novel regulatory mechanism for the voltage-gated Na+ channel and define a molecular platform critical for normal cell excitability in heart and brain.

Another focus of our lab is the development of detailed mathematical models of cardiac cells and tissue to study the role of cell signaling networks in congenital and acquired forms of cardiac arrhythmia.  We have developed physiological models of the cardiac action potential that incorporate critical cell signaling and targeting pathways.  Computer simulations have identified an important role for abnormal cell signaling in ion channel changes and cardiac arrhythmia following myocardial infarction, as well as in several congenital arrhythmia syndromes (e.g. Timothy syndrome, ankyrin-B syndrome).  The overall goal of this research is to identify ionic mechanisms responsible for ion channel dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmia.