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Neuroscience Graduate Program at UCSF
Neuronal/Glial Interactions that Control Myelination
Neurons and glia share a mutual dependence in establishing a functional relationship that is controlled by the integration of complex molecular signals and pathways. These reciprocal interactions control multiple cellular processes, including survival, proliferation, migration, cell-fate determination, and differentiation. The formation of myelin is an exquisite and dynamic example of cell-cell interaction that involves the myelin-forming cell and the neuron. The myelin sheath is responsible for the rapid propagation of the action potential, which is functionally essential for the long-distance communication in the nervous system. My research interests are to understand these fundamental glial/neuronal interactions and the molecular mechanisms that regulate myelination. More importantly, the implications of my research relate specifically to the identification of new target molecules and signaling pathways in the development of potential therapeutics for demyelinating diseases. Recent findings and technical advances with both PNS and CNS glia provide a rare opportunity to characterize these target molecules and signaling pathways.
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Stephanie Redmond, BS
Graduate Student
stephanie.redmond@ucsf.edu
Ainhoa Echeverria, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
ainhoa.et@hotmail.com
Angela T. Hahn, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
dr.athahn@gmail.com
Seonok Lee, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow/Specialist
seonokl@gmail.com
Sonia Mayoral, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
sonia.mayoral@ucsf.edu
Feng Mei, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
feng.mei@ucsf.edu
Yun-An A. Shen, MS
Specialist/Lab Manager
yun-an.shen@ucsf.edu
Redmond, S. A. and Chan, J. R. Revitalizing Remyelination: The Answer is Circulating. Science, 336: 161-162, 2012.
Chong, S. Y., Rosenberg, S. S., Fancy, S. P., Zhao, C., Shen, Y. A., Hahn, A. T., McGee, A. W., Xu, X., Zheng, B., Zhang, L. I., Rowitch, D. H., Franklin, R. J., Lu, Q. R. and Chan, J. R. Neurite Outgrowth Inhibitor Nogo-A establishes spatial segregation and extent of myelination during development. PNAS, 109:1299-1304, 2012. Commentary by Scholze A.R. and Barres B. A. A Nogo Signal Coordinates the Perfect Match Between Myelin and Axons. PNAS, 109:1003-1004, 2012.
Tep, C., Kim, M. L., Opincariu, L. I., Limpert, A. S., Chan, J. R., Appel, B., Carter, B. D. and Yoon, S. O. Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Induces Polarized Signaling of Small GTPase (Rac1) Protein at the Onset of Schwann Cell Myelination through Partitioning-defective 3 (Par3) Protein. J Biol Chem, 287:1600-1608, 2012.
Lewallen, K. A., Shen, Y. A., De La Torre, A. R., Ng, B. K., Meijer, D., and Chan, J. R. (2011) Assessing the Role of N-cadherin at the Schwann Cell-Axon Interface and in the Initiation of Myelination. J Neurosci, 31:3032-3043.
Fancy, S. P. J., Chan, J. R., Baranzini, S. E., Franklin, R. J. M., and Rowitch, D. H. (2011) Myelin regeneration: A recapitulation of development? Ann Rev Neurosci 34:21-43.
Kim, Y. E., Chen, J., Langen, R., Chan, J. R. (2010) Monitoring Apoptosis and Neuronal Degeneration by Real-time Detection of Phosphatidylserine Externalization using a Polarity-Sensitive Indicator of Viability and Apoptosis. Nat Protoc, 5:1396-1405.
Chong, S. Y. C. and Chan, J. R. (2010) Tapping into the Glial Reservoir: Cells Committed to Remaining Uncommitted. J Cell Biol, 188:305-312.
Kim, Y. E., Chen, J., Chan, J. R., and Langen, R. (2010) Engineering a Polarity Sensitive Biosensor for Time-Lapse Imaging of Apoptosis. Nat Methods, 7:67-73.
Rosenberg, S. S., and Chan, J. R. (2009) Modulating Myelination: Knowing When to Say Wnt. Genes Dev, 23:1487-93.
Rosenberg, S. S., Kelland, E. E., Tokar, E., De La Torre, A., and Chan, J. R. (2008) The Geometric and Spatial Constraints of the Microenvironment Induce Oligodendrocyte Differentiation. PNAS, 105: 14662-14667.
Chan, J. R. (2007) Myelination: all about Rac 'n' roll. J Cell Biol, 177: 953-955.
Ng, B. K., Chen, L., Mandemakers, W., Cosgaya, J. M., and Chan, J. R. (2007) Anterograde Transport and Secretion of Endogenous Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Along Sensory Axons Promote Schwann Cell Myelination. J Neurosci. 27: 7597-7603.
Lee, X., Yang, Z., Shao, Z., Rosenberg, S. S., Levesque, M., Pepinsky, R. B., Qiu, M., Miller, R. H., Chan, J. R., Mi, S. (2007) NGF regulates the expression of axonal LINGO-1 to inhibit oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. J Neurosci, 27: 220-225.
Chan, J. R., Jolicoeur, C., Yamauchi, J., Elliott, J., Fawcett, J. P., Ng, B. K., and Cayouette, M., (2006) The Polarity Protein Par-3 Directly Interacts with p75NTR to Regulate Myelination. Science, 314: 832-836.
Yamauchi, J., Miyamoto, Y., Tanoue, A., Shooter, E. M., and Chan, J. R. Ras Activation of a Rac1 Exchange Factor, Tiam1, Mediates Neurotrophin-3 Induced Schwann Cell Migration. PNAS, 102: 14889-14894, 2005.
Jonah R. Chan, Ph.D.
Office Phone
415-514-9818
Lab Phone
415-502-7176, room 260
Office Address
UCSF MC 3206
675 Nelson Rising Lane, Room 214C
San Francisco, CA 94158
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