Linda Susan Musil, Ph.D.
- Professor of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine
- Professor of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine
- Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, School of Medicine
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine
Biography
We are currently investigating the signal transduction pathways whereby growth factors including FGF, BMP, and TGFβ regulate the fate and function of lens cells both in normal development and in disease. We are particularly interested in posterior capsule opacification (PCO), the most common (90,000 - 300,000 new cases annually in the U.S.) vision-disrupting complication of cataract surgery. PCO is caused by abnormal differentiation, proliferation, and migration of lens cells remaining after cataract surgery. We have discovered that certain compounds in current clinical use against cancer block multiple PCO-causing processes in our primary lens cell system, and have developed methods to deliver these drugs from the artificial lenses that are implanted during cataract surgery. We are very excited about translating our findings into a human therapeutic with the potential to preserve the vision of millions worldwide. We are also interested in continuing our studies on the biosynthesis, assembly, and degradation of gap junction in the lens and other organs.
Education and training
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Degrees
- B.S., 1980, Duke University
- Ph.D., 1987, Washington University School of Medicine
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Fellowship
- Postdoctoral Fellow (Laboratory of JP Merlie, Ph.D.) Department of Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine
- Postdoctoral Fellow (Laboratory of DA Goodenough, Ph.D.) Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Harvard Medical School
- Instructor in Cell Biology, Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Harvard Medical School
Memberships and associations:
- International Society for Eye Research
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Areas of interest
- Prevention of blinding complications of cataract surgery
Additional information
Publications
Publications
TGFβ overcomes FGF-induced transinhibition of EGFR in lens cells to enable fibrotic secondary cataract
Molecular biology of the cellTonic ErbB signaling underlies TGFβ-induced activation of ERK and is required for lens cell epithelial to myofibroblast transition
Molecular biology of the cellErbBs in Lens Cell Fibrosis and Secondary Cataract
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual ScienceLMTK3 is essential for oncogenic KIT expression in KIT-mutant GIST and melanoma
OncogeneFibronectin regulates growth factor signaling and cell differentiation in primary lens cells
Journal of Cell ScienceIdentification of Novel Gata3 Distal Enhancers Active in Mouse Embryonic Lens
Developmental DynamicsDual function of TGFβ in lens epithelial cell fate
Molecular biology of the cellRegulation of c-Maf and αA-Crystallin in ocular lens by fibroblast growth factor signaling
Journal of Biological ChemistrySynergistic interaction between the fibroblast growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways in lens cells
Molecular biology of the cellPrimary cultures of embryonic chick lens cells as a model system to study lens gap junctions and fiber cell differentiation
Journal of Membrane BiologyPoint/counterpoint
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual SciencePoint/Counterpoint
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual ScienceRegulation of lens gap junctions by transforming growth factor beta
Molecular biology of the cellConformational maturation and post-er multisubunit assembly of gap junction proteins
Molecular biology of the cellUpregulation and maintenance of gap junctional communication in lens cells
Experimental Eye ResearchCross-talk between fibroblast growth factor and bone morphogenetic proteins regulates gap junction-mediated intercellular communication in lens cells
Molecular biology of the cellEssential role of BMPs in FGF-induced secondary lens fiber differentiation
Developmental BiologyRegulation of ubiquitin-proteasome system-mediated degradation by cytosolic stress
Molecular biology of the cellCytosolic stress reduces degradation of connexin43 internalized from the cell surface and enhances gap junction formation and function
Molecular biology of the cellDegradation of connexins from the plasma membrane is regulated by inhibitors of protein synthesis
Cell Communication and AdhesionDislocation and degradation from the ER are regulated by cytosolic stress
Journal of Cell BiologyA novel role for FGF and extracellular signal-regulated kinase in gap junction-mediated intercellular communication in the lens
Journal of Cell BiologyBiochemical analysis of connexon assembly.
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)FGF signaling in chick lens development
Developmental BiologyAnalysis of connexin intracellular transport and assembly
MethodsIntracellular transport, assembly, and degradation of wild-type and disease-linked mutant gap junction proteins
Molecular biology of the cellRegulation of connexin degradation as a mechanism to increase gap junction assembly and function
Journal of Biological ChemistryCORRELATIVE CONFOCAL AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF THE CONNEXIN43 GAP JUNCTION PROTEIN IN NRK CELLS
Microscopy and MicroanalysisNormal differentiation of cultured lens cells after inhibition of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication
Developmental Biology