Juan Marcello Antonelli Anativia, Ph.D.

Research

My lab is focused on two main research projects: 1) From a collaboration with Dr . Nancy Hopkins at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, our labs screened for mutants in genes involved in zebrafish development. 12 genes were identified that had defects in the development of the jaw. Two of these mutants had a retroviral insertion that disrupted an intron within the gene coding for the isoform CK1a. These two mutants have defects in the formation of cartilage in the jaw and pectoral fin. Therefore, CK1seems to be a protein involved in cartilage formation in vertebrates. Although formation of cartilage in the jaw and pectoral fin share commonalities, both the genesis and formation of these two types of cartilage involves different mechanisms and molecules. The purpose of this project is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in regulating these processes CK1a. 2) Because of the links established with the laboratory of Dr. Allende, who for years has characterized the biochemical function of CK1, we are developing a collaboration that consists mainly in studying the role of other CK1 isoforms (delta and epsilon isoforms mainly) in zebrafish development.