Research Interests
Research Topics
Cell-Cell Interactions, Cytoskeleton
Research Description
Cytoskeleton and Cell Adhesion
Our lab is interested in understanding how cells organize an actin cytoskeleton. Current projects focus on how actin filaments are assembled at cell-cell adhesive junctions, how actin filaments disassemble, and how signals trigger actin assembly. We use a combination of biochemical, biophysical, and cell biological techniques to address these questions which are fundamental for understanding cell shape, cell motility, and morphogenesis. Some of our research provides insight into the molecular basis of inherited kidney disease.
Education
Ph.D. University of California, San Francisco
Postdoc. Harvard Medical School
Awards and Honors
LAS Dean's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.
Additional Campus Affiliations
Professor, Cell and Developmental Biology
Highlighted Publications
Representative Publications
Vivian W. Tang, Ambika V. Nadkarni, and William M. Brieher (2020). Catastrophic actin filament bursting by cofilin, Aip1, and coronin. J. Biol. Chem. ABSTRACT
Li JXH, Tang VW, Brieher WM. 2020. Actin protrusions push at apical junctions to maintain E-cadherin adhesion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 117:432-438. ABSTRACT
Wang Y and Brieher WM. 2020. CD2AP links actin to PI3 kinase activity to extend epithelial cell height and constrain cell area. J Cell Biol. pii: e201812087. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201812087. ABSTRACT
Kemp JP Jr and Brieher WM. 2018. The actin filament bundling protein alpha-actinin-4 actually suppresses actin stress fibers by permitting actin turnover. J Biol Chem. 293:14520-14533. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA118.004345.
Yu-Kemp HC, Kemp JP Jr, Brieher WM. 2017. CRMP-1 enhances EVL-mediated actin elongation to build lamellipodia and the actin cortex. J Cell Biol. 2017 216:2463-2479. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201606084.
Yu-Kemp HC and Brieher WM. 2016. Collapsin Response Mediator Protein-1 Regulates Arp2/3-dependent Actin Assembly. J Biol Chem. 291:658-64. doi: 10.1074/jbc.C115.689265.
Recent Publications
Chen, H., Ang, C. J., Crowder, M., Brieher, W. M., & Blanke, S. R. (2023). Revisiting bacterial cytolethal distending toxin structure and function. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 13, Article 1289359. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1289359
Morris, T., Sue, E., Geniesse, C., Brieher, W. M., & Tang, V. W. (2022). Synaptopodin stress fiber and contractomere at the epithelial junction. Journal of Cell Biology, 221(5), Article e202011162. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202011162
Li, J. X. H., Tang, V. W., Boateng, K. A., & Brieher, W. M. (2021). Cadherin puncta are interdigitated dynamic actin protrusions necessary for stable cadherin adhesion. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 118(24), Article e2023510118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023510118
Li, J. X. H., Tang, V. W., & Brieher, W. M. (2020). Actin protrusions push at apical junctions to maintain E-cadherin adhesion. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117(1), 432-438. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1908654117
Tang, V. W., Nadkarni, A. V., & Brieher, W. M. (2020). Catastrophic actin filament bursting by cofilin, Aip1, and coronin. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 295(38), 13299-13313. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.RA120.015018
