The Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology (CCMB) represents investigators from the University of Southern California Schools of dentistry and Medicine who participate in a multidisciplinary research team focused on investigations of craniofacial genetics and developmental biology. Our Center theme is to apply concepts and techniques developed in molecular genetics, clinical genetics, developmental biology and physical diagnosis to the study of selected examples of craniofacial anomalies. CCMB consists of four research Projects and two Core resources. In Project 1, Dr. Kedes and his colleagues provide critical analysis of promoter functions as well as map specific myogenic isoforms during selected craniofacial muscle development. In Project 2, Drs. Maxson and Snead continue their pioneering work on the function of Msx genes involved in first branchial arch as well as cranial suture morphogenesis. In Project 3, Dr. Shuler and his colleagues investigate the molecular mechanisms for epithelial-mesenchymal transformation during secondary palate and mandibular fusion processes. In Project 4, Dr. Slavkin and his colleagues extend their studies of autocrine/paracrine regulation of E10 (42 somite stage) mouse mandibular development in vitro, to earlier premigration of cranial neural crest (CNC), and propose to test the hypothesis that growth factors induce downstream Msx genes within the neuroectoderm of rhombomeres 1-4 which transform into CNC, and from which a subpopulation migrates into the first arch and gives rise in the mandible to tooth, Meckel's cartilage and tongue ectomesenchyme cell lineages. All projects use inbred strain, mutant and/or transgenic mouse animals. The two Core resources include administration and animal facilities and these are integrated and interdependent. Finally, the Center has become integrated into the University biomedical research community. Moreover, it serves as a regional resource for health professional residency training, continuing education programs for craniofacial team members (e.g. physicians, dentists, nurses, speech pathologists, physical therapists, and social services professionals), and the Center demonstrates proactive participation in a number of out- reach programs designed to enhance K-12 science education in Los Angeles and to increase public awareness regarding disease prevention. The integrated and complementary scientific research Projects, using recombinant DNA technology, genetics, biochemistry, developmental biology, mouse animal models, cell and organ culture, and computer- assisted molecular modeling, will provide substantial molecular information towards understanding the etiology and molecular pathogenesis of congenital craniofacial malformations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Specialized Center (P50)
Project #
5P50DE009165-10
Application #
2796457
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDE1-YS (11))
Project Start
1989-09-20
Project End
1999-09-19
Budget Start
1998-09-20
Budget End
1999-09-19
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Southern California
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
041544081
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90089
Stewart, S; Yi, S; Kassabian, G et al. (2000) Changes in expression of the lysosomal membrane glycoprotein, LAMP-1 in interdigital regions during embryonic mouse limb development, in vivo and in vitro. Anat Embryol (Berl) 201:483-90
Cui, X M; Shuler, C F (2000) The TGF-beta type III receptor is localized to the medial edge epithelium during palatal fusion. Int J Dev Biol 44:397-402
Chai, Y; Zhao, J; Mogharei, A et al. (1999) Inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor signaling accelerates tooth formation in mouse first branchial arch explants. Mech Dev 86:63-74
Crowe, D L; Shuler, C F (1999) Regulation of tumor cell invasion by extracellular matrix. Histol Histopathol 14:665-71
Crowe, D L; Milo, G E; Shuler, C F (1999) Keratin 19 downregulation by oral squamous cell carcinoma lines increases invasive potential. J Dent Res 78:1256-63
Amano, O; Bringas, P; Takahashi, I et al. (1999) Nerve growth factor (NGF) supports tooth morphogenesis in mouse first branchial arch explants. Dev Dyn 216:299-310
Dalrymple, K R; Prigozy, T I; Mayo, M et al. (1999) Murine tongue muscle displays a distinct developmental profile of MRF and contractile gene expression. Int J Dev Biol 43:27-37
Liu, Y H; Tang, Z; Kundu, R K et al. (1999) Msx2 gene dosage influences the number of proliferative osteogenic cells in growth centers of the developing murine skull: a possible mechanism for MSX2-mediated craniosynostosis in humans. Dev Biol 205:260-74
Chai, Y; Bringas Jr, P; Shuler, C et al. (1998) A mouse mandibular culture model permits the study of neural crest cell migration and tooth development. Int J Dev Biol 42:87-94
Chai, Y; Bringas Jr, P; Mogharei, A et al. (1998) PDGF-A and PDGFR-alpha regulate tooth formation via autocrine mechanism during mandibular morphogenesis in vitro. Dev Dyn 213:500-11

Showing the most recent 10 out of 39 publications