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Dr. Kathy Zanin, Captain
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology

The Citadel
171 Moultrie Street
Charleston, SC 29409

office: 322 Bond Hall
phone: (843) 953-7077
FAX: (843) 953-7264
email: kathy.zanin@citadel.edu

Courses Taught:

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Degrees:

• B.S., Biology, University of South Carolina
• Ph.D., Cellular and Developmental Biology, MUSC

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Research Interests:

My primary research interest is in heart development. I study the role of proteoglycans in the formation of the endocardial cushion tissue (ECT) of the embryonic chick heart. The ECT is the predecessor to much of the valve and septal tissue in the heart. Since most heart defects are caused by poor septation or by inadequate valve formation, an understanding of the molecules involved in proper formation is critical. Using immunohistochemical studies, I found that the proteoglycan termed aggrecan is synthesized in the embryonic chick heart at the time of ECT formation and that aggrecan is localized around migrating mesenchyme cells in the ECT-forming region and in other regions where septation is occurring. Prior to these experiments, aggrecan was believed to be simply a cartilage-forming matrix molecule. My discovery paves the way for additional questions as to how aggrecan affects the formation of valves and septation. For example, what triggers heart cells to produce aggrecan at this time in valve development? What mesenchyme receptors bind to the aggrecan? What cell signaling pathways are activated by aggrecan binding? What changes in gene expression occur in response to those cell signals?

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Selected Publications:

• Zanin, M. K. B., Ernst, H., Pickens, T., and Hoffman, S.  (1999). Distinct Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Aggrecan and Versican in the Embryonic Chick Heart.  The Anatomical Record.  256, 366-380.
• Balsamo, J., Leung, T.C., Ernst, H., Zanin, M. K. B., Hoffman, S., and Lilien, J. (1996).   Regulated binding of a PTP1B-like phosphatase to N-cadherin: control of cadherin-mediated adhesion by dephosphorylation of B-catenin.  J. Cell Biol.   134, 801-813.
• Ernst, H., Zanin, M. K. B., Everman, D., and Hoffman, S.   (1995). Receptor-mediated adhesive and anti-adhesive functions of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan preparations from embryonic chicken brain.  J. Cell Science.  108, 3807-3816.
• Balsamo, J., Ernst, H., Zanin, M. K. B., Hoffman, S., and Lilien, J.   (1995). The interaction of the retinal cell surface N-acetylgalactosaminyl-phosphotransferase with an endogenous proteoglycan ligand results in inhibition of cadherin-mediated adhesion.   J. Cell Biol.   129, 1391-1401.
• Hoffman, S., Dutton, S. L., Ernst, H., Boackle, M.K., Everman, D. G., and Loike, J. D.   (1994).   Functional Characterization of Anti-adhesion Molecules.  Perspectives on Developmental Neurobiology. 2, No. 1, 101-110.
  

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