Corbett Laboratory

Anita H. Corbett, Ph.D.

Professor

The absolute compartmentalization of the genetic material within the nucleus of the eukaryotic cell creates a critical control point for intracellular signaling. We study both mRNA processing and export from the nucleus and signal-induced protein import into the nucleus. Our studies of mRNA processing and export study basic molecular functions of RNA binding proteins that have been linked to human the disease, the Nab2/ZC3H14 zinc finger polyadenosine RNA binding protein mutated in intellectual disability and the PABPN1 nuclear poly(A) binding protein mutated in Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD). Both of these proteins modulate multiple aspects of mRNA biogenesis, both are ubiquitously expressed, but mutations cause tissue specific disease driving us to understand the basic molecular function of each protein as well as the key requirement in the affected tissue. As a complement to these studies of RNA binding proteins, we also examine mechanisms that trigger protein import into the nucleus with a focus of dynamic localization of DNA repair factor that occurs in response to DNA damage. For all our studies, many of which rely on outstanding collaborations, we combine approaches ranging from structural biology to cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics in several models including budding yeast, Drosophila, mouse and various cultured cell lines and primary cells.