Phone

(607) 253-4359
Fax:  (607) 253-4212

Address

Department of Biomedical Sciences
Veterinary Research Tower (VRT) T2 001
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-2703

Email

Web Sites

Lab Web Site
Department Profile

Research Description

Research in the Gunn lab is primarily focused on the role of Attractin-Mahogunin signaling. Mice with mutations in the Attractin1 (Atrn1; formerly named mahogany) and Mahogunin Ring Finger 1 (Mgrn1; formerly named mahoganoid) genes have dark fur due to a role in the Agouti-melanocortin signaling pathway that regulates whether melanocytes produce black or yellow pigment. In addition, loss of Atrn1 in mice, rats and hamsters, or Mgrn1 in mice, results in progressive adult-onset neurodegeneration. In most Attractin1 mutant mice, neurodegeneration is associated with hyperactivity and decreased body weight. While Atrn1 encodes a protein of unknown function, Mgrn1 encodes a protein with ubiquitin ligase activity, implicating defects in protein turnover and/or trafficking in neuronal death in mutant animals. We are using genetic, molecular, biochemical and proteomics approaches to identify additional components of the Attractin-Mahogunin signaling pathway(s) and elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) of neuro degeneration and other phenotypes in these mutant animals.

Dr. Gunn is a member of the Graduate Fields of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, Genetics & Development, Comparative Biomedical Sciences and Nutrition.

Selected Publications

• L. He, X-Y. Lu, A.F. Jolly, A.G. Eldridge, S.J. Watson, P.K. Jackson, G.S. Barsh and T.M. Gunn (2003) Spongiform degeneration in mahoganoid mutant mice. Science 299(5607):710-712.
• L. He, A.G. Eldridge, P.K. Jackson, T.M. Gunn and G.S. Barsh (2003) Accessory proteins for melanocortin signaling: Attractin and Mahogunin. Annals NY Acad. Sci. 994:288-298.
• T.M. Gunn, A. Azarani, P. Kim, R.W. Hyman, R.W. Davis and G.S. Barsh (2002) Identification and preliminary characterization of mouse Adam33. BMC-Genetics 3(1):2.
• T.M. Gunn, T. Inui, K. Kitada, S. Ito, K. Wakamatsu, L. He, D.M. Bouley, T. Serikawa and G.S. Barsh (2001) Molecular and phenotypic analysis of Attractin mutant mice.Ê Genetics 158(4):1683-1695.
• L. He, T.M. Gunn, D.M. Bouley, X-Y. Lu, S.J. Watson, J.S. Duke-Cohan and G.S. Barsh (2001) A Biochemical Function for Attractin in Agouti-induced pigmentation and obesity.Ê Nature Genetics, 27(1):40-47.