Studies the genetics of degenerative muscle diseases using mouse models for SMA, ALS, muscular dystrophy and more.
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Our lab uses mouse models to identify the molecular pathways underlying degenerative motor neuron diseases in humans, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). We cloned the gene for neuromuscular degeneration in a mouse model for a lethal infantile form of SMA known as spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress. In addition, we are studying genetic background effects on onset and progression of ALS symptoms in the mouse model in hopes that these will provide novel targets for therapy.
We are also studying mice with degenerative muscle diseases that are models for specific forms of muscular dystrophy in humans. We cloned a genetic defect and have localized the mutation to the muscle-specific titin gene, the largest known coding gene in the mammalian genome. The mouse strain is a novel model of progressive muscular dystrophy. We also identified the mutation for a new form of rostrocaudal muscular dystrophy that affects skeletal muscle tissues with an unusual front-to-back severity of symptoms. We now have an excellent model for this childhood disorder to learn about the molecular causes of disease and to test for potential therapeutic strategies.
1994 - Distinguished Dissertation Award, University of Michigan. 1994–1995 NIH Developmental Genetics Postdoctoral Training Grant, The Jackson Laboratory.
1991–1993 - National Science Foundation (NSF) Predoctoral Fellowship, U Michigan.
1989–1990 - NIH Predoctoral Genetics Training Grant, University of Michigan.
1988 - Fred Telonicher Memorial Award, Humboldt State University.
Mitsuhashi S, Ohkuma A, Talim B, Karahashi M, Koumura T, Aoyama C, Kurihara M, Quinlivan R, Sewry C, Mitsuhashi H, Goto K, Koksal B, Kale G, Ikeda K, Taguchi R, Noguchi S, Hayashi YK, Nonaka I, Sher RB, Sugimoto H, Nakagawa Y, Cox GA, Topaloglu H, Nishino I. 2011. A congenital muscular dystrophy with mitochondrial structural abnormalities caused by defective de novo phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. Am. J. Hum Gen. 88:845-851, 2011.
Sher, RB, Aoyoma, C, Huebsch, KA, Ji, S, Kerner, K, Yang, Y, Frankel, WN, Hoppel, CL, Wood, PA, Vance, DE, Cox, GA. 2006. A rostrocaudal muscular dystrophy caused by a defect in choline kinase beta, the first enzyme in phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. J. Biol. Chem. 281: 4938-4948, 2005.
Maddatu, TP, Garvey, SM, Schroeder, DG, Zhang, W, Kim, S-Y, Nicholson, AI, Davis, CJ, Cox, GA. 2005. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in the nmd mouse: Transgenic rescue and QTLs that improve cardiac function and survival. Hum. Mol. Genet. 14: 3179-3189, 2005.
Maddatu TP, Garvey SM, Shroeder DG, Hampton TG, Cox GA. 2004. Transgenic rescue of neurogenic atrophy in the nmd mouse reveals a role for Ighmbp2 in dilated cardiomyopathy. Hum. Mol. Genet. 13: 1105-1115, 2004.
To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Human and Mammalian Genetics and Genomics: The McKusick Short Course, The Jackson...
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