The Mortlock laboratory studies the regulation and evolution of several genes involved in vertebrate skeletal development. These projects will help shed light on the gene regulatory events driving skeletal bone and cartilage formation, and the structure of genomic sequences affecting gene regulation. This is relevant to human afflictions ranging from birth defects to arthritis and osteoporosis. In addition we are extensively using cross-species genome sequence comparisons to locate cis-regulatory elements. Currently, the Morltock lab is studying 3 members of the BMP (Bone Morphogenetic Protein) gene family: Gdf6, Bmp2 and Bmp4. All are transcribed in complex patterns during vertebrate development. Precise regulation of these genes is likely controlled by multiple cis-regulatory elements, which can be located through transgenic analysis. All three genes are flanked by large "gene deserts" that contain strongly conserved noncoding sequences. It is likely that the modification of regulatory sequence has enabled evolution of diverse skeletal morphologies, so the mapping and function of these sequences is of great interest. Using mice and/or zebrafish to perform BAC and plasmid transgene reporter assays, lab members are mapping numerous long-range conserved sequences flanking each gene.

For more information about Dr. Mortlock visit his Vanderbilt Faculty Page

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Bmp2 transcription in osteoblast progenitors is regulated by a distant 3' enhancer located 156.3 kilobases from the promoter.   2007 Molecular Cellular Biology [Epub ahead of print]

Distant regulatory elements in a Sox10-beta GEO BAC transgene are required for expression of Sox10 in the enteric nervous system and other neural crest-derived tissues.  2006 Developmental Dynamics 235:1413-1432