University of Southern California

USC Neuroscience

Jonah R. Chan

Assistant Professor,
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute,
Keck School of Medicine

Research Topics

  1. The role of neurotrophins and their receptors in the regulation of myelination
  2. The intrinsic cellular mechanisms influencing cell fate decisions of the Schwann cell and the oligodendrocyte progenitor
  3. Mechanisms of cell polarity on myelination

Research Overview

Neurons and glia share a mutual dependence in establishing a functional relationship that is controlled by the integration of complex molecular signals and pathways. These reciprocal interactions are responsible for multiple processes, including cell survival, proliferation, migration, cell-fate determination, and differentiation. The formation of myelin is an exquisite and dynamic example of cell-cell interaction that involves the myelin-forming cell and the neuron. The myelin sheath is responsible for the rapid propagation of the action potential, which is functionally essential for the long-distance communication in the nervous system. My research interests are to understand these fundamental glial/neuronal interactions and the molecular mechanisms that regulate myelination. More importantly, the implications of my research agenda relate specifically to the identification of new target molecules and signaling pathways in the development of potential therapeutics for demyelinating diseases. Recent findings and advances in in vitro myelination techniques with both PNS and CNS glia give me a rare opportunity to characterize these target molecules and signaling pathways

Contact Information

Web Sites:
Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute
PIBBS
USC Neuroscience Program
E-mail:
jonah.chan@usc.edu
Mailing Address:
Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute
USC Keck School of Medicine
1501 San Pablo St. ZNI 427
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Office Location:
ZNI 427
Office Phone:
(323) 442-4345
Lab Location:
ZNI 421
Lab Phone:
(323)442-4346
Fax:
(323) 442-2448

Education

  • B.S. Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign, 1994
  • Ph.D. Neuroscience, University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign, 2000
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neurobiology, Stanford University, 2005

Research Images

Research Image Research Image Research Image Research Image

Selected Publications

View a complete PubMed search

View a complete Google Scholar search

Rosenberg, S. S., and Chan, J. R. (2009) Modulating Myelination: Knowing When to Say Wnt. Genes Dev, 23:1487-93.

Rosenberg, S. S., Kelland, E. E., Tokar, E., De La Torre, A., and Chan, J. R. (2008) The Geometric and Spatial Constraints of the Microenvironment Induce Oligodendrocyte Differentiation. PNAS, 105: 14662-14667.

Yamauchi, J., Miyamoto, Y., Chan, J. R., and Tanoue, A. (2008) ErbB2 directly activates the exchange factor Dock7 to promote Schwann cell migration. J Cell Biol, 181: 351-365. -PubMed

Rosenberg, S. S., Powell, B. L., and Chan, J. R. (2007) Receiving Mixed Signals: Uncoupling Oligodendrocyte Differentiation and Myelination. Cell Mol Life Sci, 64: 3059-3068. -PubMed

Chan, J. R. (2007) Myelination: all about Rac 'n' roll. J Cell Biol, 177: 953-955. -PubMed

Ng, B. K., Chen, L., Mandemakers, W., Cosgaya, J. M., and Chan, J. R. (2007) Anterograde Transport and Secretion of Endogenous Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Along Sensory Axons Promote Schwann Cell Myelination. J Neurosci. 27: 7597-7603. -PubMed

Lee, X., Yang, Z., Shao, Z., Rosenberg, S. S., Levesque, M., Pepinsky, R. B., Qiu, M., Miller, R. H., Chan, J. R., Mi, S. (2007) NGF regulates the expression of axonal LINGO-1 to inhibit oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. J Neurosci, 27: 220-225. -PubMed

Rosenberg, S. S., Ng, B. K., and Chan, J. R., (2006) The Quest for Remyelination: A New Role for Neurotrophins and their Receptors. Brain Patholog, 16: 288-294. -PubMed

Chan, J. R., Jolicoeur, C., Yamauchi, J., Elliott, J., Fawcett, J. P., Ng, B. K., and Cayouette, M., (2006) The Polarity Protein Par-3 Directly Interacts with p75NTR to Regulate Myelination. Science, 314: 832-836. -PubMed

Yamauchi, J., Miyamoto, Y., Tanoue, A., Shooter, E. M., and Chan, J. R. (2005) Ras Activation of a Rac1 Exchange Factor, Tiam1, Mediates Neurotrophin-3 Induced Schwann Cell Migration. PNAS, 102: 14889-14894. -PubMed