The extracellular matrix (ECM) and the integrin ECM receptor family play important roles in kidney development although the signal transduction events involved are not fully understood. The long-range objectives of our research are to determine the importance of adherens junctions and desmosomes in regulation of epithelial-mesenchyme transitions, renal epithelial tubule formation and cell polarity development. Cultured renal epithelial cells and developing rat kidney nephrons are being utilized to study integrin regulation of: 1). Adherens junction and desmosomal protein-protein complex formation in modulation of epithelial cell adhesion and migration, 2). The role of membrane-cytoskeletal interactions in modulation of epithelial mesenchyme transitions, 3). Identification and characterization of the signal transduction pathways that regulate cell-cell adhesion, cell migration and epithelial tubule formation. These events are analyzed biochemically by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting, and structurally by confocal microscopy.
LABORATORY MEMBERS
Randi Eisner, Laboratory Technician, Tel. 3890
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Ojakian, G. K., W. J. Nelson and K. S. Beck. 1997. Mechanisms for de novo biogenesis of an apical membrane compartment in groups of simple epithelial cells surrounded by extracellular matrix. J. Cell Sci. 110-2781-2794.
Raffaniello, R. D., J. Lin, R. Schwimmer and G. K. Ojakian. 1999. Expression and localization of Rab3D in rat parotid gland. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1450:352-363.
Oktay, K., G. Karlikaya, O. Akman, G.K. Ojakian and M.H. Oktay. 2000. Extracellular matrix Activin-A interaction in the initiation of follicle growth in the mouse ovary. Biol. Reprod. 63:457-461.
Ojakian, G.K., D.R. Ratcliffe and R. Schwimmer. 2001. Integrin regulation of cell-cell adhesion during epithelial tubule formation. J. Cell Sci. 114:941-952.
GEORGE OJAKIAN, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Box #: 5
Phone: 270-2216, Fax: 270-3732
e-mail: gojakian@downstate.edu
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