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Cell and Developmental Biology

Academic Background

Ph.D., 1985, Michigan State University

Nuclear Architecture and Gene Expression

Nucleic acid metabolism is architecturally organized in the eukaryotic nucleus. Nucleic acids themselves- as well as their metabolism in transcription, RNA processing, and RNA export- are structurally constrained to dynamic nuclear domains. Our larger goal is to understand the mechanisms that accomplish the self-assembly of these domains and achieve the spatial organization of gene expression. Our approach is an interdisciplinary one, combining biochemistry and molecular biology with confocal and electron microscopy.

One ongoing project studies the regulation of mRNA export by the PI3 kinase/AKT signal transduction pathway.  Two complexes forming on an mRNA may play a role in its export to the cytoplasm.   The export proteins UAP56, ALY/REF, and NXF1-p15 sequentially bind to a TRanscription/EXport (TREX) complex, located at the 5’ end NXF1 recruited to the complex may subsequently bind at nuclear pores for export of the mRNA to the cytoplasm.   A second complex, the Exon Junction Complex (EJC), with a core of eIF4A3, MLN51, MAGOH, and Y14, forms on the mRNA at sites 24 nucleotides upstream from exon-exon junctions.  We used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) as a live cell screen to find signal transduction pathways that alter the binding of these proteins in mRNA complexes.  Our results show that PI3 kinase/ AKT regulate the binding affinity of UAP56, NXF1, eIF4A3, MAGOH, and Y14 in mRNA-associated complexes in live cells.   In addition, MAGOH binding is strongly reduced by the inhibition of mTORC1.   The active PI3 Kinase/AKT pathway causes increased nuclear retention of a subset of mRNAs in the nucleus, consistent with this signal transduction pathway regulating the export of mRNA.

A second ongoing project, conducted as a long-term collaboration with the laboratory of Tony Imbalzano, also in this department, studies the role of chromatin remodeling in breast cancer.  This project has shown that the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzymes BRG1 and BRM are required for the proliferation of human mammary epithelial cells in conventional tissue culture and in three dimensional reconstituted basement membrane cultures where these cells develop into tissue-like acini.  In addition, reduction in BRG1 levels causes nuclear shape changes that are independent of nuclear-cytoskeletal connections and are mediated by internal nuclear forces.

We have presented evidence that nuclear RNA and the ongoing synthesis of RNA are required for maintaining the normal architecture of the nucleus and have proposed that long non-coding RNAs play this structural role.  A goal for future work is to test this hypothesis and identify specific architectural RNAs in the nucleus.

Director for Cell Biology Confocal Core - Three Dimensional Microscopy - www.umassmed.edu/3dml


Figure

Figure

Figure: Resinless section of a CaSki cell nuclear matrix. Solubleproteins and chromatin have been removed from this nucleus, uncovering thenuclear matrix which consists of two parts. The nuclear lamina isthe outer shell of the matrix which lies just under the nuclear envelopeand is primarily composed to the lamin proteins A, B, and C. Connected tothe lamina and extending throughout the nuclear volume is the internalnuclear matrix, an intricate structure built on a scaffolding of 10nm filaments whose molecular composition remains unknown. The largest massesremaining in the interior are remnants of nucleoli.

Post Docs

POSTDOCTORAL POSITION

A Postdoctoral Position is available immediately in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology to study the regulation of RNA processing and export by signal transduction pathways. So far in this project we have found that the assembly of mRNA export complexes in live cells is regulated by the PI3 kinase/AKT signal transduction pathway and that, for a subset of mRNAs, nuclear export is AKT regulated. The experimental approach for this project integrates molecular techniques and microscopy, especially live cell microscopy. The postdoc in this position could also be involved in studies of the role of nuclear architecture in regulating gene expression and in studying the role of chromatin remodeling enzymes in breast cancer.  Candidates with a strong background in cell biology, biochemistry, or molecular biology are especially desirable.

Quaresma, A.J., Sievert, R. & Nickerson, J.A. Regulation of mRNA export by the PI3 kinase/AKT signal transduction pathway. Mol Biol Cell 24, 1208-1221 (2013).

The University of Massachusetts Medical School is located in Worcester, at the western edge of the Boston Metropolitan Area. The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology has especially strong research programs in nuclear and chromatin structure, cytoskeletal function, and mitotic architecture.


Interested candidates should contact:

Jeffrey A. Nickerson, Ph.D.
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology S7-214
University of Massachusetts Medical School
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655
(508) 856-2312
jeffrey.nickerson@umassmed.edu

One or more keywords matched the following items that are connected to Nickerson, Jeffrey
Item TypeName
Academic Article Experimental observations of a nuclear matrix.
Academic Article Induction of protein translation by ADAR1 within living cell nuclei is not dependent on RNA editing.
Academic Article The spatial targeting and nuclear matrix binding domains of SRm160.
Academic Article In vitro FRAP reveals the ATP-dependent nuclear mobilization of the exon junction complex protein SRm160.
Academic Article Nuclear structure in cancer cells.
Academic Article Inducible changes in cell size and attachment area due to expression of a mutant SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzyme.
Academic Article Brg1, the ATPase subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is required for myeloid differentiation to granulocytes.
Academic Article Microtubule-dependent nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling of Runx2.
Academic Article An improved mathematical approach for determination of molecular kinetics in living cells with FRAP.
Academic Article Ectopic runx2 expression in mammary epithelial cells disrupts formation of normal acini structure: implications for breast cancer progression.
Academic Article Architectural genetic and epigenetic control of regulatory networks: compartmentalizing machinery for transcription and chromatin remodeling in nuclear microenvironments.
Academic Article The human nucleolar protein FTSJ3 associates with NIP7 and functions in pre-rRNA processing.
Academic Article Multiple subnuclear targeting signals of the leukemia-related AML1/ETO and ETO repressor proteins.
Academic Article Nuclear shape changes are induced by knockdown of the SWI/SNF ATPase BRG1 and are independent of cytoskeletal connections.
Academic Article Modulation of Nuclear Shape by Substrate Rigidity.
Academic Article Proteomic analysis of SRm160-containing complexes reveals a conserved association with cohesin.
Academic Article Binding of ATP to UAP56 is necessary for mRNA export.
Academic Article SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzyme ATPases promote cell proliferation in normal mammary epithelial cells.
Academic Article Subnuclear localization and intranuclear trafficking of transcription factors.
Concept Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins
Concept RNA, Nuclear
Concept Nuclear Matrix
Concept Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group A-B
Concept Nuclear Envelope
Concept Nuclear Proteins
Concept Nuclear Pore
Concept Molecular Structure
Concept Nuclear Matrix-Associated Proteins
Concept Cell Nucleus Structures
Concept Protein Structure, Tertiary
Concept Antigens, Nuclear
Concept Structure-Activity Relationship
Academic Article BRG1, a SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzyme ATPase, is required for maintenance of nuclear shape and integrity.
Academic Article Direct force probe reveals the mechanics of nuclear homeostasis in the mammalian cell.
Academic Article The SWI/SNF ATPases Are Required for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation.
Academic Article Differential Toxicity of Nuclear RNA Foci versus Dipeptide Repeat Proteins in a Drosophila Model of C9ORF72 FTD/ALS.
Academic Article Coordinated Dynamics of RNA Splicing Speckles in the Nucleus.
Academic Article Use of HCA in subproteome-immunization and screening of hybridoma supernatants to define distinct antibody binding patterns.
Academic Article Identification of a Chemical Probe for Family VIII Bromodomains through Optimization of a Fragment Hit.
Academic Article Targeting the chromatin remodeling enzyme BRG1 increases the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs in breast cancer cells.
Academic Article SMARCA4 regulates gene expression and higher-order chromatin structure in proliferating mammary epithelial cells.
Academic Article The BRG1 chromatin remodeling enzyme links cancer cell metabolism and proliferation.
Academic Article Identifying Nuclear Matrix-Attached DNA Across the Genome.
Academic Article The Ultrastructural Signature of Human Embryonic Stem Cells.
Academic Article The BRG1 ATPase of human SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzymes as a driver of cancer.
Academic Article Casein kinase 2-mediated phosphorylation of Brahma-related gene 1 controls myoblast proliferation and contributes to SWI/SNF complex composition.
Academic Article Nuclear organization mediates cancer-compromised genetic and epigenetic control.
Academic Article Interactions between ALS-linked FUS and nucleoporins are associated with defects in the nucleocytoplasmic transport pathway.
Academic Article The ribonucleoprotein network of the nucleus: a historical perspective.
Academic Article SP140 inhibits STAT1 signaling, induces IFN-? in tumor-associated macrophages, and is a predictive biomarker of immunotherapy response.
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  • Structure