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Molecular
Biology of Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle Differentiation,  Development,
and Function
1. Control of cardiac and skeletal myogenesis.
The first goal of our laboratory is to define the programs of gene expression
which result in tissue-specific differentiation. We are interested in
the transcriptional, translational, and signalling molecules controlling
cardiac and skeletal muscle gene expression, development and function.
In particular, we are interested in a class of transcription factors,
known as the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) family. These regulators
are critical for cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle differentiation.
One of our major goals is to define both the genetic and biochemical pathways
converging on the MEF2 family during myogenic differentiation.
II. Regulation of calcium homeostasis in normal and diseased muscles.
The second goal of our laborarory is to understand the role of calcium
regulatory molecules in muscle function and disease. To begin to address
this question, we are analyzing the function of the histidine-rich calcium-binding
protein (HRCBP), a low-affinity, high-capacity calcium binding protein
expressed in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac and skeletal muscles.
How does HRCBP regulate calcium homeostasis, and how does this regulation
affect muscle contraction and cardiac rhythm?
Selected Publications:
Black, BL., and Olson, E. N. Transcriptional control of muscle development
by myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) proteins. Ann. Rev. Cell. Dev. Biol.
14 (1998): 167-196.
Black, BL., Molkentin, JD, and Olson, EN. Multiple roles for the MyoD
basic region in transmission of activation signals and interaction with
MEF2. Mol. Cell. Biol. 18 (1998): 69-77.
Molkentin, JD, Black, BL Martin, JF,. and Olson, EN. Cooperative activation
of muscle gene expression by MEF2 and myogenic bHLH proteins. Cell 83
(1995): 1125- 1136.
Contact Information:
Email: bblack@itsa.ucsf.edu
Phone: 415/ 502-7628
Address: Box 0130, Room HSE 1312
The University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, (415) 476-9000
Copyright 2003, The Regents of the University of California.
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