Michael Centrella PhD
Professor of Surgery (Plastic)
Biographical Info
My
lab was the first to identify and isolate TGF-beta, IGF-I, PDGF-AA, and a novel
estrogen receptor ligand from bone and bone forming osteoblasts, and more
recently, a component of the low molecular mass soluble RNA pool that
suppresses protein synthesis initiation in eukaryotes. We cloned and produced
the first detailed nest of TGF-beta receptor gene promoter fragments, and identified complex
biochemical and molecular control through distinct cis- and trans- acting
elements in these and several other promoters that drive tissue, hormone, and
growth factor restricted gene expression. We demonstrated that variations like these altered
the expression of TGF-beta
receptor proteins and, in so doing, effectively changed their relative proportions
on the cell surface. This occurred in parallel with downstream differences in
TGF-beta signaling
in, among other cell types, osteoblasts, fibroblasts, cardiocytes, renal
epithelial cells, and vascular endothelial cells. During the last three
decades, we also characterized interactions among many other bone growth factors, hormones,
and stress-induced events in bone organ and cell cultures, and showed that they
culminated in downstream changes in replication, gene expression, protein
synthesis, and other molecular and biochemical parameters well associated with tissue
growth. My efforts continue
to benefit greatly from the experience and shared interests of long term
co-investigators at Yale and elsewhere. We are members of the
Education & Training
- Ph.D.
- University of Rochester (1978)
- Fellow
- University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, Cancer Center/Biochemistry
- Instructor
- University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, Biochemistry
- Fellow
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, Biology/Biochemistry and Biophysics
Professional Service
