Gian Garriga

Professor of Genetics, Genomics and Development*
*And Affiliate, Division of Neurobiology

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Research Interests

We are studying how asymmetric cell division, cell migration and axonal pathfinding contribute to the final form and connectivity of the Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system.

Current Projects

Asymmetric neuroblast divisions. Nervous systems contain many different cell types. One way to generate this diversity is for neuroblasts to divide asymmetrically, producing daughter cells that adopt distinct fates. We have identified several proteins that function in specific neuroblasts that divide asymmetrically to generate an apoptotic cell and a neuron or neural precursor. These proteins regulate the position of the neuroblast spindle and the distribution of developmental potential to daughter cells. Our current focus is to understand how Frizzleds, cell surface receptors for Wnt glycoproteins, orient these divisions and how membrane trafficking events regulate the function of Frizzled receptors.

Neuronal polarity and migrations. When neurons are born, they often migrate to new positions where they differentiate. These migrations shape nervous system structure. Once in their final positions, neurons polarize and extend an axonal growth cone that navigates to reach its synaptic targets. The establishment of polarity and the ability of axons to find their targets are essential steps in establishing the connections between neurons that underlies behavior. We are studying molecules that orient the polarity and guide the migrations of these neurons and their growth cones along the C. elegans anterior/posterior (A/P) axis.

Polarity and guidance along the A/P axis appears to be regulated by the activity of several molecules that interact to orient neuronal polarity and guide migrating cells and growth cones. VAB-8, a novel kinesin-like protein orients polarity of neurons toward the posterior and promotes directed cell and growth cone migrations toward the posterior of the animal. VAB-8, acting with the conserved Rac exchange factor UNC-73/Trio, increases levels of the receptors that promote posterior polarity and guidance. We are particularly interested in defining the mechanism of how VAB-8L and UNC-73 control the levels and distributions of these receptors.

Wnts, secreted glycoproteins that function in several different developmental processes, act antagonistically to VAB-8, orienting the polarity of neurons toward the anterior and guiding the anterior migrations of C. elegans cells and growth cones. The effects of the Wnts are mediated by Frizzled receptors. Wnts and Frizzleds also act to guide growth cones along the mammalian spinal cord, but how Frizzled receptors transduce their signals in neuronal polarity and axon guidance is unclear. We are using genetic approaches to define these intracellular signaling pathways.

Selected Publications

The Flamingo orthologue FMI-1 controls pioneer-dependent navigation of follower axons in C. elegans. [A. Steimel, L. Wong, E.H. Najarro, B.D. Ackley, G. Garriga and H. Hutter. (2010) Development In press.]

The role of the C. elegans Mena/VASP homolog UNC-34 in neuronal polarity and motility. [T. Fleming, S.–C. Chien, P.J. Vanderzalm, M. Dell, M.K. Gavin, W.C. Forrester and G. Garriga (2010)  Developmental Biology 344: 94-106.]

C. elegans CARMIL negatively regulates UNC-73/Trio function during neuronal development. [P.J. Vanderzalm, A. Pandey, M.E. Hurwitz, L. Bloom, H.R. Horvitz and Garriga, G. (2009) Development 136, 1201-1210.]

Asymmetric cell division, aggresomes and apoptosis. [A. Singhvi and G. Garriga (2009) Trends in Cell Biology 19, 1-7]

The T-box gene tbx-2 and the homeobox gene egl-5 specify neural fate in the HSN/PHB lineage. [A. Singhvi, C.A. Frank, and G. Garriga (2008) Genetics 179, 887-898.]

C. elegans AP-2 and retromer control Wnt signaling by regulating MIG-14/Wntless. [C. L. Pan, P. D. Baum, M. Gu., E. M. Jorgensen, S.G. Clark and G. Garriga (2008) Developmental Cell 14, 132-139.]

C. elegans VAB-8L and UNC-73/Trio regulate the SAX-3/Robo receptor to direct cells and growth cones posteriorly. [N. Watari-Goshima, K. Ogura, F. W. Wolf, Y. Goshima and G. Garriga (2007) Nature Neuroscience 10, 169-176.]

The C. elegans MELK ortholog PIG-1 kinase regulates cell size asymmetry and daughter cell fate in asymmetric neuroblast divisions. [S. Cordes, C. A. Frank and G. Garriga (2006) Development 133, 2747-2756]

Multiple Wnt homologs regulate anteriorly directed cell and growth cone migrations in C. elegans. [C. L. Pan, J. Endres-Howell, S. Clark, M. Hilliard, S. Cordes, C. I. Bargmann, and G. Garriga (2006) Developmental Cell 10, 367-377]

Sensitized genetic backgrounds reveal a role for C. elegans FGF EGL-17 as a repellent for migrating CAN neurons. [T. Fleming, F. W. Wolf, and G. Garriga (2005) Development 132, 4857-4867]

C. elegans HAM-1 positions the cleavage plane and regulates apoptosis in asymmetric cell divisions. [C. A. Frank, N. C. Hawkins, C. Guenther, H. R. Horvitz and G. Garriga (2005) Developmental Biology 284, 301-310]

The C. elegans Frizzled MOM-5 regulates the distribution of DSH-2 to control asymmetric cell division. [N. Hawkins, G. C. Ellis, B. A. Bowerman and G. Garriga (2005) Developmental Biology 284, 246-259]

Last Updated 2010-08-06