DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Neuro-Oncology
Cancer Cell Biology

Research Abstract

Our laboratory studies the function of the PI3K/TSC/mTOR pathway within neurons and astrocytes. Our goal is to understand how this pathway regulates the growth and function of cells within the mammalian central nervous system. Furthermore, we wish to understand how loss of PTEN or TSC1/2, as occurs in the hamaratomatos disorders of Cowden's disease and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, perturb the growth and function of neurons. Our studies include biochemical analysis of the signaling pathway, quantitative analysis of cell-growth and morphology, as well as electrophysiological analysis of neuronal function. Our initial studies have revealed a role of the TSC pathway in controlling neuronal growth and function and have found novel links from TSC/mTOR to the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton via the depolymerization factor cofilin.

Publications

• Alvarez VA, Ridenour DA, Sabatini BL.Retraction of synapses and dendritic spines induced by off-target effects of RNA interference.J Neurosci 2006 Jul 26;26(30):7820-5.
  16870727
• Soler-Llavina GJ, Sabatini BL.Synapse-specific plasticity and compartmentalized signaling in cerebellar stellate cells.Nat Neurosci 2006 Jun;9(6):798-806.
  16680164
• Zhou X, Zhu J, Liu KY, Sabatini BL, Wong ST.Mutual information-based feature selection in studying perturbation of dendritic structure caused by TSC2 inactivation.Neuroinformatics 2006;4(1):81-94.
  16595860