Boston University Department of Biology

Faculty Profiles

Current Research

The establishment of cell polarity involves the enrichment of some molecules to particular regions of a cell. For example, oocytes sort several mRNAs to one side of the egg. This sets up polarized patterns of gene expression that provide pattern to embryos during their development. We combine the employment of computational tools with experimentation to identify new localized mRNAs. In addition, we seek to characterize the molecular mechanism responsible for the mRNA localization process in vertebrate cells. Our recent genome-wide analysis suggests that hundreds of human genes contain CAC-rich mRNA localization signals that function in neurons and are similar to the types of RNA localization elements that function in Xenopus oocytes. This analysis provides the first indication that common genetic signals may target hundreds of human proteins to particular regions of mammalian neurons. Current work in the laboratory is aimed at determining the frequency of functional RNA localization elements in human genes as well as identifying RNA structures and proteins required to mediate the localization process in polarized cells.

Courses Taught

• BI 108 Biology II
• BI 735 Advanced Cell Biology
• BI 410/610 Developmental Biology
• BI 553, BI753 Molecular Biology II

Selected Publications

• Heinrich B, Deshler JO. (2009). RNA Localization to the Balbiani Body in Xenopus Oocytes is Regulated by the Energy State of the Cell and Facilitated by Kinesin II. RNA 15: 524-536.
• Andken BB, Lim I, Benson G, Vincent JJ, Ferenc MT, Heinrich B, Jarzylo LA, Man H, Deshler JO (2007). 3'-UTR SIRF: A Database for Identifying Clusters of Short Interspersed Repeats in 3'-Untranslated Regions. BMC Bioinformatics 8, 274.
• Choo S, Heinrich B, Betley JN, Chen Z, Deshler JO. (2005). Evidence for Common Machinery Utilized by the Early and Late RNA Localization Pathways in Xenopus Oocytes. Dev Biol 278, 103-117.
• Betley JN, Heinrich B, Vernos I, Sardet C, Prodon F, Deshler JO. (2004). Kinesin II meditates Vg1 mRNA transport in Xenopus oocytes. Curr. Biol. 14, 219-24.
• Betley JN, Frith MC, Graber JH, Choo S, Deshler JO (2002). A ubiquitous and conserved signal for RNA localization in chordates. Current Biology 12, 1756-1761.
• Deshler JO, Highett MI, Abramson A, Schnapp BJ. (1998). A highly conserved RNA-binding protein for cytoplasmic mRNA localization in vertebrates. Current Biology 8, 489-496.
• Deshler JO, Highett MI, Schnapp BJ. (1997). Localization of Xenopus Vg1 mRNA by Vera protein and the endoplasmic reticulum. Science 276, 1128-31.
• Schnapp BJ, Arn EA, Deshler JO, Highett MI. (1997). RNA location in xenopus oocytes. Seminars In Cell & Developmental Biology 8, 529-540.