The fundamental intracellular mechanisms involved in cell migration and muscle fiber formation constitute a primary area of laboratory research. For these studies, we have initiated the in vitro reconstitution of a functional intracellular cytoskeleton from isolated actin cytoskeletal proteins. This approach has allowed for analyses of intracellular signals that regulate formation of contractile structures in migratory cells and assembly of nascent myofibrils in cardiac muscle cells.

A second area of research is focused on gaining a mechanistic understanding of how rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton regulate cell migration and cell division in normal and transformed cell types. During metastasis of malignant cells from carcinoma tumors, cell migration results from continual rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. We have recently determined that a specific set of actin regulatory proteins are present in tumors and normal migratory cell types, but not in the stationary epithelial cells from which tumors are derived. This has led to studies on the role of these tumor specific motility factors in carcinogenesis.


Email: jpardee@med.cornell.edu