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Michael A. Fox, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
B.S., Chemistry, The College of William and Mary (1999)
Ph.D., Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University (2004)
Postdoctoral training, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and The Center for Brain Science, Harvard University
| Office Address: | | Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology | | | | Virginia
Commonwealth University Medical Campus | | | | Box 980709 | | | | Richmond, VA
23298-0709 | | Office
Phone: | | (804) 628-3001 | | FAX: | | (804) 828-9477 | | e-mail: | | mafox@vcu.edu |
RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY INTERESTS
Synapses, which are the sites of information processing in the nervous system, form after growing axons recognize their appropriate targets. The
subsequent alignment of pre- and postsynaptic specializations is critical for synaptic function. Such precise apposition of presynaptic elements (i.e.
active zones and aggregated synaptic vesicles) to postsynaptic specializations (i.e. clustered neurotransmitter receptors) strongly suggests that
molecular signals passed between the axon and target are required for differentiation. My laboratory focuses on identifying and characterizing these
synaptic organizing signals in the mammalian nervous system. One large family of molecules that we are particularly interested in are the collagens.
Recently, we identified several target-derived collagen IV chains that are essential for inducing presynaptic differentiation and for maintaining nerve
terminals at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) -- a large peripheral synapse between motoneurons and muscle fibers. We are now trying to identify the
neuronal collagen IV receptor as a starting point to understanding the mechanisms of collagen IV-induced presynaptic differentiation. In addition to our
interest in collagens IV, we are examining how other collagens may be critical for NMJ formation and maintenance. One interesting collagen that we are
currently focusing on is the transmembrane collagen XIII, which appears essential for postsynaptic maturation. Interestingly, many of these collagens are
also expressed by neurons in the mammalian brain. This has led us to start questioning whether collagens are not only necessary for peripheral synapses
but essential for central synapse formation and maintenance.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
Fox, M.A., Sanes, J.R., Borza, D.B., Eswarakumar, V.P., Fassler, R., Hudson, B.G., John, S.W., Ninomiya, Y., Pedchenko, V., Pfaff, S.L., Rheault, M.N., Sado, Y., Segal, Y., Werle, M.J., Umemori, H. Distinct target-derived signals organize formation, maturation, and maintenance of motor nerve terminals. Cell. 2007 Apr 6;129(1):179-93.
Fox, M.A. and Umemori, H. “Seeking long-term relationship: Axon and target communicate to organize synaptic differentiation.” J Neurochem. 2006. 97 (5):1215-31.
Flanagan-Steet, H.*, Fox, M.A.*, Meyer, D. and Sanes, J.R. “Neuromuscular synapses can form in vivo by incorporation of initially aneural postsynaptic specializations.” Development, 2005 Oct;132(20):4471-81. (* Co-First Authors) (Highlighted in Faculty of 1000)
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