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, Ex. 3890
SELECTED RECENT PUBLICATIONS
1. Wang, A.Z., G.K. Ojakian and W.J. Nelson. 1990. Steps in the morphogenesis of a polarized epithelium. II. Disassembly and assembly of plasma membrane domains during reversal of epithelial cell polarity in multicellular epithelial (MDCK) cysts. J. Cell Sci. 95:153-165.
2. Ojakian, G.K., R. Schwimmer and R.E. Herz. 1990. Polarized insertion of an intracellular glycoprotein pool into the apical membrane of MDCK cells. Amer. J. Physiol. 258:C390-C398.
3. Ojakian, G.K. and R. Schwimmer. 1992. Antimicrotubule drugs inhibit the polarized insertion of an intracellular glycoprotein pool into the apical membrane of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. J. Cell Sci. 103:677-687.
4. Ojakian, G.K. and R. Schwimmer. 1994. Regulation of epithelial cell surface polarity reversal by ß1 integrins. J. Cell Sci. 107:561-576.
5. Schwimmer, R. and G.K. Ojakian. 1995. The a2ß1 integrin regulates collagen-mediated MDCK epithelial membrane remodeling and tubule formation. J. Cell Sci. 108:2487-2498.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Eisen, R., D.R. Ratcliffe and G.K. Ojakian. 2004. Modulation of Epithelial Tubule Formation by Rho-kinase. Amer. J. Physiol. 286:C857-C866.
9. Eisen, R., Shereaf Walid, D.R. Ratcliffe, and G.K. Ojakian. 2006. Regulation of Epithelial Tubule Formation by Rho Family GTPases Amer. J. Physiol. In press, May 2006.
10. Eisen, R., D.R. Ratcliffe and G.K. Ojakian. 2004. Modulation of Epithelial Tubule Formation by Rho-kinase. Amer. J. Physiol. 286:C857-C866.
11. Eisen, R., Shereaf Walid, D.R. Ratcliffe, and G.K. Ojakian. 2006. Regulation of Epithelial Tubule Formation by Rho Family GTPases Amer. J. Physiol. In press, May 2006.