We published a paper showing the interaction of the FGFR3 pathway with the Wnt pathway, now included in the publication list. In cartilage cells, the Wnt pathway is critical in determining whether a cell progresses along the normal pathway of development in the growth area of the cartilage. In less mature areas of cartilage, it can force a cartilage cell back to a more primitive type of cell. FGFR3 over-activity, as in achondroplasia, causes over-activity of the Wnt pathway. This helps explain some of the puzzling features of poor cartilage cell development in achondroplasia.
We are collaborating with another laboratory to determine where NF449 binds to FGFR3. With this information, a better drug might be designed.
Over the summer, Dr. Xue will be doing the prerequisite experiments for the large scale drug screen (90,000+ compounds) to be run in the core facility at UCLA. Dr. Krejci will be continuing his studies of the FGFR3 signaling pathways to find better targets.
