Henry N. Higgs, PhD
Title(s):
Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Department(s):
Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Education:
Lafayette College, BA 1987U. Washington, PHD 1996
Programs:
Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Programs
Contact Information:
Dartmouth Medical School
HB 7200
Hanover NH 03755
Professional Interests:
Microvilli cover the surface of circulating blood lymphocytes. Lymphocytes use these finger-like projections to segregate adhesion receptors, as certain receptors localize to microvilli while others are excluded from them. Adhesion receptor segregation is crucial because cells use these receptors sequentially when moving from the bloodsteam to specific tissues. Little is known about the architecture of microvilli, nor about their relationship to similar structures from other cells. My lab will identify protein components crucial to microvillar structure, test how mutation of these proteins affect microvillar structure and function, and characterize how these proteins function biochemically and biophysically.
Selected Publications: |
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Function-Oriented Studies Targeting Pectenotoxin 2: Synthesis of the GH-Ring System and a Structurally Simplified Macrolactone. Calcium-mediated actin reset (CaAR) mediates acute cell adaptations. Actin filaments as dynamic reservoirs for Drp1 recruitment. Mice with mutant Inf2 show impaired podocyte and slit diaphragm integrity in response to protamine-induced kidney injury. Actin filaments target the oligomeric maturation of the dynamin GTPase Drp1 to mitochondrial fission sites. Cell type-dependent mechanisms for formin-mediated assembly of filopodia. Assembly and turnover of short actin filaments by the formin INF2 and profilin. The formin FMNL3 assembles plasma membrane protrusions that participate in cell-cell adhesion. Novel roles for actin in mitochondrial fission. Monitoring ATP hydrolysis and ATPase inhibitor screening using (1)H NMR. |
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