Assistant Professor of Medicine

Tele: (317) 635-5454
Email: wagnerm@iupui.edu

PubMed Listing

Affiliations:

Doctoral Studies:
Post-doctoral Studies:
Faculty:

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana

Research Interests:

I am interested in determining the cellular function(s) myosin Ib. Recent studies suggest that this actin-based motor with both membrane and actin binding domains may contribute to a variety of membrane/actin processes such as endo/exocytosis, channel regulation and vesicle trafficking.  I am using kidney tubules as a model system to study this enzyme's function and initial studies have been completed using the LLCPK1 proximal tubule cell line (PTC). These cells contain an extensive actin rich brush border (BB) void of microtubules thus the dynamic membrane/cytoskeletal processes that occur in the BB will involve an actin motor. Using indirect immunofluorescence confocal microscopy I have identified myosin Ib in the BB of both LLCPK1 and rat kidney PTC. In addition, ATP depletion, in vitro, or ischemia, in vivo, causes dramatic alterations in this myosins distribution.

I am currently analyzing the biochemical changes that occur to myosin Ib during this reversible pathophysiological process. These studies will utilize both biochemical and molecular approached in addition to the microscopic analyses. Future studies are planned to identify what myosin Ib interacts with and how this potential motor is regulated. The techniques in use include immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, microinjection, SDS-PAGE, chemiluminescence western blotting, organelle isolations, immunoprecipitation, gene expression using adenovirus and GFP constructs, and antisense approaches to inhibit myosin Ib.