Analysis of Muscle and Tendon Development and its application to Medicine

研究的重点是对运动功能至关重要的肌肉-肌腱结构复合体的形成。研究了肌肉发育所需的转录因子RP58和肌腱和韧带正常生长所必需的Mkx。为了确定Mkx的表达机制，我们定位了Mkx的启动子/增强子区域，并鉴定了3个候选转录因子。Mkx的调控基因也被研究和鉴定。RP58已知与DNMT3结合，DNMT3是一种新的DNA甲基转移酶，因此分析了DNA甲基化，并确定了甲基化活性区域。

The research focused on the formation of muscle-tendon structure complex, which is essential for motor function. RP58, a transcription factor required in the development of muscle and Mkx, essential in normal growth of tendons and ligaments were investigated. In order for to determine the mechanism for Mkx expression, promoter/enhancer region of Mkx was localized and 3 candidate transcription factors were identified. Mkx regulated genes were also investigated and identified. RP58 is known to bind to DNMT3, a de novo DNA methyltransferase, and hence DNA methylation was analyzed genome-wide and regions of methylation activity were identified.