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

Fate mapping using Cited 1-CreERT2 mice demonstrates that the cap mesenchyme contains self-renewing progenitor cells and gives rise exclusively to nephronic epithelia.  2008 Developmental Biology 313: 234-245

Releveance of BAC transgene copy number in mice: transgene copy number variation across multiple transgenic lines and correlations with transgene integrity and expression.  2007 Mammalian Genome 18: 693-708

TGF-beta signaling is essential for joint morphogenesis.  2007 Journal of Cell Biology 177: 1105-1117