The goal of this project is to characterize the proteins that mediate macrophage fusion leading to the differentiation of giant cells & potentially osteoclast. The improved understanding of the fusion mechanism will facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches to prevent diseases in which giant cells and osteoclasts are involved. The protein that potentially mediates sperm-oocyte fusion, PH30, has been cloned, and shown to share homology with the macrophage protein MS2. Because we have characterized a highly efficient macrophage fusion assay using rat macrophages, we propose to clone the rat macrophage cDNA homologue of pH- 30/mS2, characterize biochemically athe corresponding protein and establish cell lines transfected with this CDNA to study the role of this protein in fusion.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32AR008395-02
Application #
2413958
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG4-ORTH (02))
Project Start
1997-05-01
Project End
Budget Start
1997-05-01
Budget End
1998-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Yale University
Department
Orthopedics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
082359691
City
New Haven
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06520
Saginario, C; Sterling, H; Beckers, C et al. (1998) MFR, a putative receptor mediating the fusion of macrophages. Mol Cell Biol 18:6213-23
Sterling, H; Saginario, C; Vignery, A (1998) CD44 occupancy prevents macrophage multinucleation. J Cell Biol 143:837-47