Lab News

Reciprocal signaling between progenitor cells of the stromal mesenchyme (SM), metanephric mesenchyme and ureteric bud is critical for proper mammalian kidney morphogenesis. Several of these signaling pathways are regulated by the centrosome, and its associated structure the primary cilium. Mutations in genes that disrupt centrosome biogenesis or function cause congenital kidney developmental defects and lead […]

Mutations that disrupt centrosome structure or function cause congenital kidney developmental defects and fibrocystic pathologies. Yet, it remains unclear how mutations in proteins essential for centrosome biogenesis impact embryonic kidney development. Here, we examined the consequences of conditional deletion of a ciliopathy gene, Cep120, in the two nephron progenitor niches of the embryonic kidney. Cep120 loss led to […]

DNAAF5 is a dynein motor assembly factor associated with the autosomal heterogenic recessive condition of motile cilia, primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). The effects of allele heterozygosity on motile cilia function are unknown. We used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in mice to recreate a human missense variant identified in patients with mild PCD and a second, frameshift […]

Multiciliated cells (MCCs) project dozens to hundreds of motile cilia from their apical surface to promote the movement of fluids or gametes in the mammalian brain, airway or reproductive organs. Differentiation of MCCs requires the sequential action of the Geminin family transcriptional activators, GEMC1 and MCIDAS, that both interact with E2F4/5-DP1. How these factors activate […]

Tao Cheng gave a wonderful talk titled “Developmental defects caused by centrosome dysfunction during kidney morphogenesis”.

Multiciliated cells (MCC) are evolutionary conserved, highly specialized cell types that contain dozens to hundreds of motile cilia that they use to propel fluid directionally. To template these cilia, each MCC produces between 30 and 500 basal bodies via a process termed centriole amplification. Much progress has been made in recent years in understanding the […]

Microtubule (MT) modifications are critical during axon development, with stable MTs populating the axon. How these modifications are spatially coordinated is unclear. Here, via high-resolution microscopy, we show that early developing neurons have fewer somatic acetylated MTs restricted near the centrosome. At later stages, however, acetylated MTs spread out in soma and concentrate in growing […]

Chidera did his undergraduate studies at  Saint Louis University (MO), receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. He will be investigating how defects in centrosome biogenesis and structure affect embryonic kidney development. Welcome to the lab!

DeHaven did his undergraduate studies at  Westminster College (MO). He then completed a Master of Science degree in Physiological Sciences at the University of Arizona, where he studied the role of microtubule associated proteins in GLUT4 translocation during insulin stimulation . He will be investigating microtubule dynamics and reorganization during stem cell differentiation. Welcome to the lab!

Maneesha did her graduate studies with Dr. Cynthia He at the National University of Singapore. She studied the role of an arginine kinase and the lipidated protein intraflagellar transport (LIFT) pathway in cilia of Trypanosoma brucei. She will be studying cellular pathways that regulate centrosome-cilia protein trafficking. Welcome to the lab!

We are looking for postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and research assistants interested in the biology of microtubules, centrosomes and cilia. Our lab investigates how mutations in centrosomal and ciliary genes disrupt normal cell physiology, leading to human disease syndromes called “Ciliopathies”. These include cystic-fibrotic kidney diseases, and respiratory/airway defects such as Primary Cilia Dyskinesia. Multiple […]

The Mahjoub lab has received a 3-year, $1.83M Investigator-Initiated Research Award from the Department of Defense – Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. The project is titled “Targeting Centrosome Clustering as a Novel Therapy for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease“.  This project focuses on the preclinical evaluation of small molecule inhibitors that target centrosome clustering as a […]