Research Interests
Function of the Cthrc1 Gene
The focus of our laboratory is on understanding the function of the gene Collagen Triple Helix Repeat Containing-1 (Cthrc1), which was discovered in our laboratory several years ago. This gene is only found in chordates and has interesting developmental expression patterns.

Gain-of-function studies indicate that Cthrc1 inhibits collagen deposition both in vitro and in vivo. We have shown that this inhibition is mediated by an inhibition of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) signaling pathway. In addition, we have generated Cthrc1 deficient mice, which develop cardiovascular defects in the adult stage. The cardiovascular phenotype is being analyzed in the laboratory.

Other ongoing research in the laboratory is focused in the biochemistry and mechanism of action of Cthrc1.

Aberrant expression of Cthrc1 has been reported in gene chip array analyses of human cancers. Several collaborations with clinicians at the Maine Medical Center are ongoing to explore the role of Cthrc1 in human heart disease.