Chih-Lueh Albert Wang, Ph.D.

Chih-Lueh Albert Wang, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist
Hypertension, asthma, indigestion, miscarriages, cancer, cardiovascular diseases
wang@bbri.org

Research Summary

Our research activities focus on the regulatory mechanisms of smooth muscle contraction that controls the function of many of our vital organs such as blood vessels.  We are particularly interested in the actin-based regulation and its implication in the motility of cancer cells.  One of the targets is caldesmon, which modulates the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton in both smooth muscle and non-muscle cells.  A variety of biochemical, biophysical, cell biological and genetic methods are being used.  We aim to better understand how cell movement is regulated in general and to find cures for smooth muscle related diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis, as well as tumor metastasis.

 

tl_files/faculty/wang_graphic.jpg

 

Selected Publications

  • Wang, C. L. A. Caldesmon and the regulation of cytoskeletal functions. In Tropomyosin (P. Gunning, ed.). Landes Bioscience, Austin. 2008, in press.
  • Greenberg, M. J., Wang, C. L., Lehman, W. & Moore, J. R. Modulation of actin mechanics by caldesmon and tropomyosin. Cell Motil Cytoskeleton 2008, 65:156-64.
  • Gu Z, Kordowska J, Williams GL, Wang CL, Hai CM. Erk1/2 MAPK and caldesmon differentially regulate podosome dynamics in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells. Exp Cell Res. 2007, 313(5):849-866.
  • Huang R, Cao GJ, Guo H, Kordowska J, Wang CLA. Direct interaction between caldesmon and cortactin. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2006, 456(2):175-182.
  • Kordowska J, Huang R, Wang CL. Phosphorylation of caldesmon during smooth muscle contraction and cell migration or proliferation. J Biomed Sci. 2006, 13(2):159-172.
  • Hoffman LM, Jensen CC, Kloeker S, Wang CL, Yoshigi M, Beckerle MC. Genetic ablation of zyxin causes Mena/VASP mislocalization, increased motility, and deficits in actin remodeling. J Cell Biol. 2006, 172(5):771-782.
  • Huang R, Wang CL. A caldesmon peptide activates smooth muscle via a mechanism similar to ERK-mediated phosphorylation. FEBS Lett. 2006, 580(1):63-66.
  • Kordowska J, Hetrick T, Adam LP, Wang CL. Phosphorylated l-caldesmon is involved in disassembly of actin stress fibers and postmitotic spreading. Exp Cell Res. 2006, 312(2):95-110.

 

PubMed:
Click here for a list of publications (searches the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database.)

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