McCrea Laboratory
Pierre D. McCrea, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Areas of Research
- Genetics Research
Using mammalian cell and vertebrate (frog embryo) model systems, our lab studies the catenin family of proteins. Catenins transduce developmental signals from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, such as within the Wnt pathway. Being multi-functional, catenins also modulate cadherin adhesive and motility functions at cell-cell junctions, as well as small-GTPases participating in cytoskeletal control.
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Research Focus
Our research goals: We wish to understand the roles of catenins at both developmental and mechanistic levels. In particular our group addresses: A) lesser-understood catenins such as p120-catenin, ARVCF-catenin, delta-catenin and plakophilin-3 (PKP3); and B) their contributions to signaling functions relevant to gene control (e.g. Wnt pathway), or alternatively, to non-nuclear functions relevant to the interactions taking place between cells in development and cancer.
Meet the Team
Left to Right: Hong Ji, Ryan Baumert, Jessica Zapata, Pierre McCrea