Dr. Pearce’s research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hormone-regulated ion transport in the kidney tubules. His lab has cloned and characterized several key regulatory proteins involved in the control of epithelial Na+ and K+ transport. Notably, SGK1 is a serine-threonine signaling kinase, which mediates the effects of multiple hormones, and is necessary for normal Na+ and K+ homeostasis. Defects in SGK1 result in pseudohypoaldosteronism (Na+ wasting and inability to excrete K+ despite high aldosterone levels).