Unit of Developmental biology
Lab of Citochimica ultrastrutturale
tel. ++39 0512094141
fax ++39 0512094286
Group Leader: Dott. Carlo Taddei
E-mail : carlo.taddei@unibo.it
Research in progress :
- The cytoskeleton in the differentiating ovarian follicle. The differentiating ovarian follicle of several squamate reptiles, in particular the lizard Podarcis sicula, offers a good model to study the organisation of different cytoskeletal structures since it is made by cells of various origin, structure and function. So far, we have characterised a keratin network which, like a scaffold, supports the structural and functional integration between the follicle cells (“pyriform cells”) and the growing oocyte. Microtubules are detectable in all the districts of the ovarian follicle; we have identified a more stable acetylated form only in the small proliferating follicle cells, while in the oocyte and in its connected pyriform cells these cytoskeletal structures are more labile. Our research focuses on the origin of the microtubular cytoskeleton which crosses the intercellular bridges connecting the pyriform cell cytoplasm to the oocyte. Work will mainly deal with the localization and characterisation of F-actin in different areas of the ovarian follicle during oocyte growth. Light and electron microscope analyses of immunostained preparations will be used for the morphological characterisation. From a biochemical point of view, the different proteins will be analysed by western blotting.
Funding :
PRIN 2001-2003 (MIUR) “Differenziamento ovocitario in vertebrati non mammiferi: un processo che si realizza mediante interazioni cellulari dirette e/o a distanza"
PRIN 2004-2006 (MIUR) “Il ruolo delle interazioni cellulari nel differenziamento ovocitario in vertebrati non mammiferi"
Patents :
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Selected Publications :
- M G Maurizii, L Alibardi, C Taddei. (2004) Alpha-tubulin and acetylated alpha-tubulin during ovarian follicle differentiation in the lizard Podarcis sicula Raf J Exp Zool 301A:532–541
- Alibardi L, Maurizii MG, Toni M, Spisni E, Taddei C. (2003) Putative histidine-rich proteins in the epidermis of lizards. J Exp Zoolog Part A Comp Exp Bio 296:1-17
- Di Tomaso G, Fedi S, Carnevali M, Manegatti M, Taddei C, Zannoni D. (2002) The membrane-bound respiratory chain of Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707 cells grown in the presence or absence of potassium tellurite. Microbiology. 148:1699-708
- F. M. Cernilogar, F. Fabbri, D. Andrenacci, C. Taddei, G. Gargiulo (2001) Drosophila vitelline membrane cross-linking requires the fs(1)Nasrat, fs(1)polehole and chorion gene activities. Dev Genes Evol 211:573–580
- Alibardi L., Maurizii M.G., Taddei C. (2001) Immunocytochemical and electrophoretic distribution of cytokeratins in the resting stage epidermis of the lizard Podarcis siculaI. J Exp Zool 289:409–418
- Andrenacci D., Cernilogar F. M., Taddei C., Rotoli D., Cavaliere V., Graziani F., and Gargiulo G. (2000) Specific domains drive VM32E protein distribution and integration in Drosophila eggshell layers. J Cell Sci 114:2819-2829
- Alibardi L, Maurizii MG, Taddei C (2000) Immunocytochemical and electrophoretic distribution of cytokeratins in the regenerating epidermis of the lizard Podarcis muralis. J Morphol 246:179-91
- Maurizii MG, Alibardi L, Taddei C (2000) Organization and characterization of the keratin cytoskeleton in the previtellogenic ovarian follicle of the lizard Podarcis sicula Raf. Mol Reprod Dev 57:159-66
Postgraduate training :
Ph.D. Program in Physiology and Cellular Biology : The Cytoskeleton in Cell Differentiation and Development
Collaborations :
-: Prof. Piero Andreuccetti - Diparimento di Biologia - Universitŕ Federico II - Napoli
Links :
-Postgraduate Training:
http://www.dipartimentobiologia.it/doctoraltraining/taddei.asp
Research group :
Maria Gabriella Maurizii (Research Associate)
Carlo Taddei (Full professor)
