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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FSGS-Causing INF2 Mutation Impairs Cleaved INF2 N-Fragment Functions in Podocytes. Regulation of INF2-mediated actin polymerization through site-specific lysine acetylation of actin itself. Two distinct actin filament populations have effects on mitochondria, with differences in stimuli and assembly factors. A complex containing lysine-acetylated actin inhibits the formin INF2. The Pollard lab at Salk: moving the leading edge forward. Roles for Ena/VASP proteins in FMNL3-mediated filopodial assembly. Long-Term Potentiation Requires a Rapid Burst of Dendritic Mitochondrial Fission during Induction. Focal Adhesions Undergo Longitudinal Splitting into Fixed-Width Units. Receptor-mediated Drp1 oligomerization on endoplasmic reticulum. INF2-mediated actin polymerization at the ER stimulates mitochondrial calcium uptake, inner membrane constriction, and division. |
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