The series of events that pattern the vertebrate embryo may be considered a proliferative, almost cancerous-like growth phase governed by strict developmental guidelines. Many of these events rely on cell-cell communication and the transduction of signals across the plasma membrane of the receivi...
The series of events that pattern the vertebrate embryo may be considered a proliferative, almost cancerous-like growth phase governed by strict developmental guidelines. Many of these events rely on cell-cell communication and the transduction of signals across the plasma membrane of the receiving cell. Thus, disrupting the link between the cytoskeleton and integral membrane proteins is likely to affect cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions, cell polarity, endo- and exocytosis, migration, proliferation and differentiation. My research deals with the cell-cell signaling events that pattern the developing central nervous system (CNS) and the model that I use is the zebrafish (Danio rerio). My specific areas of interest include genes of the protein 4.1 superfamily and G-proteins.