Growth Factor Receptor Signaling and Biology in Nervous System Development and Metabolic Regulation
With a focus on growth factor receptor signaling, we investigate different aspects of nervous system development and metabolic regulation. Currently, our studies center on three different ligand/receptor systems:
- p75 neurotrophin receptor and neurotrophin family ligands
- GFRa1, Ret and NCAM receptors and GDNF family ligands
- TGF-b superfamily receptors ALK7 and ALK4 and their ligands Activins and GDFs
Using these signaling systems as entry points, our goal is to discover novel, general biological principles of broad importance for nervous system development and metabolic functions.
Current topics of investigation include:
- Mechanism of p75NTR activation (see Vilar, Neuron 2009; Lin eLife 2015)
- Generation and functional characterization of p75NTR signaling mutants (see Vicario, J Cell Sci 2015; Charalampopoulos, Cell Rep 2012)
- Genetic approaches to elucidate p75NTR signaling functions in mutant mice (see Tanaka, J Neurosci 2016)
- Role of GDNF family signaling in the development of the mammalian olfactory system (see Marks, J Neurosci 2012)
- Role of GDNF family signaling in the development of the mammalian cerebellum
- Development and differentiation of cortical GABAergic interneurons (see Pozas, Neuron 2005; Canty, J Neurosci 2009; Zechel, Genome Bio 2014)
- Roles of activin signaling in brown and white adipocyte differentiation and fat homeostasis (see Andersson, PNAS 2008; Guo eLife2014.pdf)
- A chemical-genetic approach to study ALK4 and ALK7 signaling in metabolic regulation (see Guo, elIfe 2013)
