Robert D. Goldman
Rank: Stephen Walter Ranson Professor and Chair
Brief description of research area: Structure and Function of Cytoskeletal Systems
Degree: Ph.D.
Institution degree obtained from: Princeton University
Voice: 312.503.4215
Fax: 312.503.7912
E-mail: r-goldman@northwestern.edu

Detailed research description:
Our research focuses on the structure and function of cytoskeletal systems, particularly the intermediate filament (IF) system in fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and nerve cells. IFs are composed of large families of proteins that vary in composition from one cell type to another--even among cells in the same tissue. Using a variety of techniques, we have demonstrated that IFs form elaborate networks that course throughout the cytoplasm and establish connections with both the nuclear and cell surfaces.

At the nuclear surface, they are linked either directly or indirectly with the nuclear lamins, which are chromatin-associated IF protein family members. At the level of the plasma membrane, IFs are involved as cytoskeletal linkages to the focal adhesion of fibroblasts and the desmosomes and hemidesmosomes of epithelial cells. Throughout the cytoplasm, we have shown that IFs are associated with the other cytoskeletal elements, such as microtubules and microfilaments.

Our approach to studying the IF system involves biochemical, morphological, immunological, cell physiological, and molecular techniques. Our hypothesis is that the IF system forms a continuous network linking the nuclear and cell surfaces, functioning in such diverse activities as the establishment and maintenance of cell shape, organelle movements within the cytoplasm, nuclear positioning, nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions, and signal transduction.

Since many human diseases have been linked to changes in cytoskeletal IF systems, we are also developing models to study the mechanisms involved in IF alterations in various diseases. One example is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) in which we have been able to induce neurofibrillary tangles to form in single cultured nerve cells. These tangles are similar to those found in ALS neurons. Therefore, we are able to study the effects of neurofilament tangle formation in single cells. During the summer, researchers from this laboratory also conduct studies on the mechanisms of chromatin/nuclear envelope interactions in eggs of the surf clam at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole.

Representative publications:

Shimi T, Butin-Israeli V and Goldman RD.  (2011)  The roles of the    nuclear envelope in mediating the molecular crosstalk between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Curr Opin Cell Biol Dec 20: Epub ahead of    print.  PMID: 22192274

Goldman RD, Cleland MM, Murthy PSN, Mahammad S and Kuczmarski ER  (2011)  Inroads into the structure and function of intermediate filament networks. J Struct Biol Nov 18: Epub ahead of print.  PMID: 22120848

Adam SA and Goldman RD. (2011)   Insights into the differences between the A- and B-type nuclear lamins.   Adv Enzyme Reg Nov 18: Epub ahead of print. PMID: 22119859

Shimi T, Butin-Israeli V, Adam SA, Hamanak RB, Goldman AE, Lucas CA, Shumaker DK, Kosak ST, Chandel NS and Goldman RD.  (2011)   The role of nuclear lamin B1 in cell proliferation and senescence.   Genes Dev   Dec 15;25(24):2579-2593.  Dec 8: Epub.  PMID:  22155925

Butin-Israeli V, Ben-nun-Shaul O, Kpatz I, Adam SA, Shimi T, Goldman RD and Oppenheim A. (2011)  Simian virus 40 induces lamin A/C fluctuations and nuclear envelope deformation during cell entry.  Nucleus  Jul/Aug 2(4):320-330.   Jul 1: Epub.   PMID 21941111

Nekrasova, O.E., Mendez, M.G., Chernoivanenko, I.S., Tyurin-Kuzmin, P.A., Kuczmarski, E.R., Gelfand, V.I., Goldman, R.D., Minin, A.A.  (2011)   Vimentin intermediate filaments modulate the motility of mitochondria.  Mol Biol Cell   Jul;22(13):2282-2289.  May 11: Epub.  PMID: 21562225  PMCID: PMC3128530

Shimi T, Butin-Israeli V, Adam SA and Goldman RD (2011)  Nuclear Lamins in Cell Regulation and Disease in Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol.   Volume LXXV.  Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 75:525-531.  Apr 5: Epub.  PMID 21467145

 

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