Dr. Carattino's lab is focused on studying the function of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). These channels are expressed in the nervous system where they contribute to sensory processes such as mechanosensation and nociception. The goals of our research program are to elucidate the molecular basis underlying the function of ASICs and to identify targets in these proteins that can be used to develop inhibitors. A second area of research in our lab examines the role of the urothelial barrier in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a chronic voiding disorder with symptoms that include urinary frequency and pain in the bladder and/or pelvis. Although the exact cause of IC/BPS is unknown, numerous lines of evidence suggest that an increase in the permeability of the urothelium contributes to the symptoms in this condition. The goal of this project is to examine the mechanisms that mediate voiding symptoms and pain in an animal model with reduced urothelial barrier function, providing a rational foundation to treat hypersensitive bladder disorders.
- BS/MSc, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1995
- PhD, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2001
- Postdoc, University of Pittsburgh, 2004
Education & Training
Carattino MD, Sheng S, Kleyman TR. Epithelial Na+ channels are activated by laminar shear stress. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2004; 279: 4120-6.
Carattino MD, Sheng S, Bruns JB, Pilewski JM, Hughey RP, Kleyman TR. The epithelial Na+ channel is inhibited by a peptide derived from proteolytic processing of its alpha subunit. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2006; 281 (27): 18901-7.
Carattino MD, Hughey RP, Kleyman TR. Proteolytic processing of the epithelial sodium channel gamma subunit has a dominant role in channel activation. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2008; 283 (37): 25290-5.
Della Vecchia MC, Rued C, Carattino MD. Gating transitions in the palm domain of ASIC1a. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2013; 288 (8): 5487-95.
Carattino MD, Prakasam HS, Ruiz WG, Clayton DR, McGuire M, Gallo LI, Apodaca G. Bladder filling and voiding affect umbrella cell tight junction organization and function. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2013; 305 (8): F1158-68.
Krauson AJ, Rued AC, Carattino MD. Independent contribution of extracellular proton binding sites to ASIC1a activation. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2013; 288 (48): 34375-83.
Montalbetti N, Rued AC,, Clayton DR, Ruiz WG, Bastacky SI, Prakasam HS, Eaton AF, Kullmann FA, Apodaca G, Carattino MD. Increased urothelial paracellular transport promotes cystitis. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2015; 309 12): F1070-81.
Webb TN, Carrisoza-Gaytan R, Montalbetti N, Rued A, Roy A, Socovich AM, Subramanya AR, Satlin LM, Kleyman TR, Carattino MD. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2016; 310(1): F15-26.
- Member, The American Physiological Society, 2004-present
- Member, The American Society of Nephrology, 2008-present
- Member, The Biophysical Society, 2012-present
- Member, Society for Neuroscience, 2016-present
- American Heart Association, Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2002-2004
- Carl W. Gottschalk Research Scholar of the American Society of Nephrology, 2008-2010
- The American Physiological Society, Lazaro J. Mandel Young Investigator Award, 2012
