Research Groups

Mouse Molecular Genetics

Group Leader

Research Interests and Description
Group Members

Andrés Fernando Muro

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Padriciano 99
34012 Trieste, Italy

E-mail: muro@icgeb.org
Office tel: +39-040-3757312
Lab tel: +39-040-3757358
Office fax: +39-040-226555

Education

School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina, PhD in Biology, 1992
School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina, MSc in Molecular Biology, 1988

Career History

Since 2005, Group Leader of the Mouse Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the International Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.
1995-2004, Staff Scientist, Molecular Pathology Laboratory, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy.
1992-1994, Postdoc, Molecular Pathology Laboratory, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy.
1991, Visiting scientist, Molecular Pathology Laboratory, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy.
1988-1992, Graduate Student Fellowship, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) at the Instituto de Ingenieria Genetica y Biologia Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
1987-1988, Pre-doctoral student at Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Scientific Activity

A. Muro's main focus of research is the molecular basis of extracellular matrix related processes, in particular those related to fibronectin and its protein isoforms generated by alternative splicing. The Group is currently studying the role of fibronectin in extra-cellular matrix remodelling in regenerative, oncogenic and inflammatory processes. In addition, we are currently addressing the role of the EDA-containing FN isoform in thrombosis.
In another line of research the Group studies the molecular basis that link hypertension and erythrocyte diseases, such as spherocytosis and elliptocytosis, to cytoskeletal proteins, in particular to adducin. They consider the organization of the cellular cytoskeleton in the affected tissues of β-adducin KO mice and the protein partners that are associated to adducin.
A third line of research explores the molecular mechanisms that regulate tissue specific polyadenylation of genes and the coupling between transcription and polyadenylation.

Selected publications

White, E.S., Baralle, F.E., Muro, A.F. 2008. New insights into form and function of fibronectin splice variants. J Pathol 216, 1-14

Muro, A.F., Moretti, F.A., Moore, B.B., Yan, M., Atrasz, R.G., Wilke, C.A., Flaherty, K.R., Martinez, F.J., Tsui, J.L., Sheppard, D., Baralle, F.E., Toews, G.B., White, E.S. 2008. An essential role for fibronectin extra type III domain A in pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 177, 638-645

Babaev, V.R., Porro, F., Linton, M.F., Fazio, S., Baralle, F.E., Muro, A.F. 2008. Absence of regulated splicing of fibronectin EDA exon reduces atherosclerosis in mice. Atherosclerosis 197, 534-540

Chauhan, A.K., Kisucka, J., Cozzi, M.R., Walsh, M.T., Moretti, F.A., Battiston, M., Mazzucato, M., De Marco, L., Baralle, F.E., Wagner, D.D., Muro, A.F. 2008. Prothrombotic Effects of Fibronectin Isoforms Containing the EDA Domain. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 28, 296–301

Moretti, F.A., Chauhan, A.K., Iaconcig, A., Porro, F,. Baralle, F.E., Muro, A.F. 2007. A major fraction of fibronectin present in the extracellular matrix of tissues is plasma-derived. J. Biol. Chem.

Costessi, L., Devescovi, G., Baralle, F.E., Muro, A.F. 2006. Brain-specific promoter and polyadenylation sites of the beta-adducin pre-mRNA generate an unusually long 3'-UTR. Nucleic Acids Res. 34, 243-253

Gajovic, S., Mitrecic, D., Augustincic, L., Iaconcig, A., Muro, A.F. 2006. Unexpected rescue of alpha-synuclein and multimerin1 deletion in C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice by beta adducin knockout. Transgenic Res. 15, 255-259

Chauhan, A.K., Moretti, F.A., Iaconcig, A., Baralle, F.E., Muro, A.F. 2005. Impaired motor coordination in mice lacking the EDA exon of the fibronectin gene. Behav. Brain Res. 161, 31-38

Fededa, J.P., Petrillo, E., Gelfand, M.S., Neverov, A.D., Kadener, S., Nogues, G., Pelisch, F., Baralle, F.E., Muro, A.F., Kornblihtt, A.R. 2005. A Polar mechanism coordinates different regions of alternative splicing within a single gene. Mol. Cell 19, 393-404

Buratti, E., Muro, A.F., Giombi, M., Gherbassi, D., Iaconcig, A., Baralle, F.E. 2004. RNA folding affects the recruitment of SR proteins by mouse and human polypurinic enhancer elements in the fibronectin EDA exon. Mol. Cell. Biol. 24, 1387-1400

Muro, A.F., Chauhan, A.K., Gajovic, S., Iaconcig, A., Porro, F., Stanta, G., Baralle, F.E. 2003. Regulated splicing of the fibronectin EDA exon is essential for proper skin wound healing and normal lifespan. J Cell Biol. 162, 149-60

Muro, A. F., Marro, M. L., Gajovic, S., Porro, F., Luzzatto, L., Baralle, F.E. 2000. Mild spherocytic hereditary elliptocytosis and altered levels of alpha- and gamma-adducins in beta-adducin-deficient mice. Blood 95, 3978-85