Linda Matsuuchi

My lab is interested in understanding the cell signaling of specific membrane receptors, combining aspects of Cell Biology, Immunology , Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Structure and function of the antigen receptor on B lymphocytes:

The B cell receptor is composed of membrane immunoglobulin M (mIgM) and a heterodimer of two associated proteins, Ig-alpha and Ig- beta. When the receptor is on the cell surface of B lymphocytes it functions to transmit intracellular signals that regulate cell growth and differentiation and it binds to antigen for the generation of the immune response. We are studying the downstream consequences of intracellular signaling and how the BCR interacts with protein tyrosine kinases, phosphatases and other associated proteins. In addition we are exploring how signaling changes the cytoskeletal architecture in B lymphocytes. Recently my lab has embarked on a study of the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43), whose expression profoundly influences lymphocyte responses to BCR and chemokine receptor signaling.

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