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Stephen Lambert, Ph.D.Academic Role: Assistant Professor
Faculty Appointment(s) In:
Other Affiliation(s):
Membrane-Cytoskeleton Interactions in Axonal Function
Recent research has identified a novel form of ankyrin as a component
of the nodal membrane. Studies on the morphogenesis of the node indicate
a key role for this molecule in the formation of the node by theoretically
forming a multivalent complex with both cell adhesion molecules and ion
channels. Future work in this area will be on further defining this protein
complex, determining the role of glial cells in node formation and characterizing
a 'knock-out' mouse, where this isoform of ankyrin is missing.
Office: Bioech4 Suite 326
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The
physiological activity of a wide variety of metazoan cell types depends
in some part on the ability of these cells to segregate integral membrane
proteins, such as receptors and ion channels, at high concentrations into
specialized domains of the plasma membrane. Research in this laboratory
focuses on the role of the spectrin-based membrane skeleton in the formation
of specialized membrane domains in the nervous system. We are particularly
interested in interactions that involve the ankyrins, a family of peripheral
'adapter' proteins that link integral proteins to the spectrin skeleton.
The membrane domains that we focus on are the nodes of Ranvier. The nodes
are 1um sized differentiated areas of the myelinated axonal membrane enriched
in ion channels necessary for the formation of action potentials. These
patches of 'excitable' membrane are regularly arranged along the length
of the axon at gaps in the myelin sheath. The segregation of ion channels
to the nodal membrane is crucial to the saltatory action potential of myelinated
axons and the fast conduction velocity associated with these axons. It is
also a factor in the pathology underlying human demyelinating diseases such
as multiple sclerosis.
55 Lake Avenue North Worcester, MA 01605