Understanding patterning and organization of the vertebrate central nervous system
My research is focused on understanding the earliest steps in the embryonic development of the vertebrate
brain. In particular, we are interested in the development of the hindbrain, which contributes to the cerebellum and brainstem
and therefore acts as an integration point for a wide variety of neuronal processes. We are using the zebrafish model to address
these questions, as it is well suited for a multifaceted approach that includes classical and molecular genetic analysis, as
well as experimental manipulation of embryos.
We are interested in the molecular pathways that allow communication of information between neighboring cells,
resulting in changes in cell behavior, proliferative capacity and transcriptional activity. Zebrafish mutations that disrupt
the genes encoding essential components of several cell-cell communication pathways, as well as transgenic approaches to
manipulate these pathways on a cell-by-cell basis, are being used determine how these pathways contribute to the development
of the cerebellum.
Another approach that we are taking is to identify genes whose expression is influenced by these signal transduction
pathways and analyzing their function in regulating response to cell-cell signaling. Finally, we are conducting genetic
screens to identify new mutations that disrupt this process.
Selected Publications
Lane ME, Sauer K, Wallace K, Jan YN, Lehner CF, Vaessin H (1996) Dacapo, a
cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, stops cell proliferation during Drosophila development. Cell
87:1225-1235.
Lehner CF, Lane ME (1997) Cell cycle regulators in Drosophila: downstream and part of
developmental decisions. Journal of Cell Science 110:523-528.
Thomas BJ, Zavitz KH, Dong X, Lane ME, Weigmann K, Finley RL Jr, Brent R, Lehner CF,
Zipursky SL (1997) roughex down-regulates G2 cyclins in G1. Genes and Development 11:1289-1298.
Lane ME, Elend M, Heidmann D, Herr A, Marzodko S, Herzig A, Lehner CF (2000) A screen
for modifiers of cyclin E function in Drosophila melanogaster identifies Cdk2 mutations,
revealing the insignificance of putative phosphorylation sites in Cdk2. Genetics 155:233-244.
Sagerstrom CG, Kao BA, Lane ME, Sive H. (2001) Isolation and characterization of posteriorly
restricted genes in the zebrafish gastrula. Developmental Dynamics 220:402-408.
Lane ME, Runko AP, Roy NM, Sagerstrom CG (2002) Dynamic expression and regulation by Fgf8 and
Pou2 of the zebrafish LIM-only gene, lmo4. Mechanisms of Development 119:S185-S189.
Contact Information
- Mary Ellen Lane, Ph.D.
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
- Rice University
- W104 George R. Brown Hall
- 6100 Main Street
- Houston, Texas 77251-1892, U.S.A.
- Tel: (713) 358-5254
- Fax: (713) 348-5154
- E-mail: melane@bioc.rice.edu
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