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Neurogenetics, Development and Evolution
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PETER JOHN MCKINNON, Ph.D.
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Education
Research InterestsOur research focus is an analysis of selected molecules that are important for the develop-mental and maintenance of the central nervous system (CNS). In one line of research, we are interested in the molecular events leading to neurodegeneration in the human syndrome ataxia-telangiectasis (A-T). A-T is a multisystem disease characterized by cancer, immune defects and a profound progressive neurodegeneration. Recently the gene mutated in A-T has been identifed and found to be related to a number of critical cellular signaling molecules collectively termed the PI3-kinases. However, the role of this gene in the nervous system is unclear. Using techniques such as gene-targeting and the yeast two-hybrid system, we aim to identify important components of the signal transduction pathway involving Atm, and to understand their role in the nervous system. This will provide key information regarding basic mechanisms of neuronal development and maintenance. In another line of research, the function of the astrocyte extracellular matrix (ECM) following perturbation of CNS homeostasis is being investigated. Astrocytes respond to CNS injury by undergoing reactive astroctyosis; a pronounced response that occurs following both neurodegeneration and a spectrum of other insults that perturb CNS homeostasis, such as epilepsy, Parkinson' and Alzheimer's diesease. However, little is know about the molecular events that underlie this response, or indeed the role of astrocytosis in nervous system recovery from injury. We have shown that members of a relatively new family of astrocyte ECM proteins (the SPARC family) may be directly involved in reactive astrocytosis. The long term goal of this research is to define the molecular events that are important for reactive astrocytosis, and to understand the implications of reactive astrocytosis for the nervous system. LinksRecent Publications
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