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Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
PO Box 980614
Richmond, VA 23298-0614
Email: cbigbee@hsc.vcu.edu
Telephone: 804-828-7854
Education
- B.S., 1979, Buenos Aires University, Argentina
- Ph.D., 1985, Buenos Aires University
Post-Doc
- Dept of Neurology, Yale Univ. School of Medicine, 1985-1988
- Dept of Biochemistry, VCU, 1988-1995
Research
The research interests of our laboratory are focused on the molecular mechanisms
that control the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocytes, the cells
that make the myelin membrane in the central nervous system (CNS). The myelin
membrane wraps around the neuronal axons insulating them and allowing the rapid
saltatory conduction of impulses. In addition, recent evidence indicates that
oligodendrocytes play a very crucial role in providing important growth and
survival factors to the neurons. Thus, damage of the oligodendrocytes or the myelin
membrane can severely alter CNS function. This is the case in brain and spinal
cord trauma as well as in demyelinating diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a
major cause of disability in young individuals.
During CNS development, the young immature precursor cells undergo several rounds
of proliferation followed by well defined stages of differentiation leading to the
formation of mature oligodendrocytes capable of carrying out myelination. However,
the sequence of molecular events that control such an orderly series of
developmental changes is still poorly understood.
This lack of information, is in part responsible for the lack of effective
therapies to replenish lost oligodendrocytes and myelin membrane in MS and CNS
trauma.
We are currently investigating several transcription factors and their associated
signal transduction cascades. We have found that some of these transcription
factors appear to be mediators of neuronal signals to the developing
oligodendrocytes. Our ultimate goal is to identify the genes that are targeted by
these signaling pathways and establish their role in regulating different steps
along oligodendrocyte proliferation and differentiation.
It is hoped that these studies will provide clues for the design of strategies that
either by pharmacological treatment or genetic manipulation may stimulate myelin
regeneration after demyelinating diseases such as MS.
Projects involve the use of cell culture systems, "knock out" animal models, animal
models of abnormal myelination, immunological techniques, protein-DNA interaction
studies, and manipulation and analysis of gene expression.
Selected Publications
- Saini HS, Gorse KM, Boxer LM, Sato-Bigbee C (2004) Neurotrophin-3 and a CREB-
mediated signaling pathway regulate Bcl-2 expression in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells.
J. Neurochem. 89, 951-961.
- Afshari FS, Chu AK, Sato-Bigbee C (2002) Recovery of adult oligodendrocytes is
preceded by a "lag period" accompanied by up-regulation of transcription factors expressed
in developing young cells. J. Neurosci. Res. 67: 174-184.
- Afshari FS, Chu AK, Sato-Bigbee C (2001) Effect of cyclic AMP on the expression
of myelin basic protein species and myelin proteolipid protein: Differential involvement of
the transcription factor CREB. J. Neurosci. Res. 66: 37-45.
- Johnson JR, Chu AK, Sato-Bigbee C (2000) Possible role of CREB in the
stimulation of oligodendrocyte precursor cell proliferation by neurotrophin-3. J. Neurochem.
74, 1409-1417.
- Sato-Bigbee C, Pal S, Chu AK (1999) Different neuroligands and signal
transduction pathways regulate CREB phosphorylation at specific stages of oligodendrocyte
differentiation. J. Neurochem. 72, 139-147.
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1101 E Marshall St | PO Box 980614 | Richmond, VA 23298 | ph 804.828.9762 | fax 804.828.1473
Site Update July 20, 2008, Responsible Unit - Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, biochemgrad@mail.vcu.edu
Virginia Commonwealth University,
VCU School of Medicine
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