Adrian Barker, Ph.D., J.D.

Adrian Barker, Ph.D., J.D.

San Diego, California, United States
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Publications

  • Local protease signaling contributes to neural tube closure in the mouse embryo.

    Developmental Cell

    We report an unexpected role for protease signaling in neural tube closure and the formation of the central nervous system. Mouse embryos lacking protease-activated receptors 1 and 2 showed defective hindbrain and posterior neuropore closure and developed exencephaly and spina bifida, important human congenital anomalies. Par1 and Par2 were expressed in surface ectoderm, and Par2 was expressed selectively along the line of closure. Ablation of Gi/z and Rac1 function in these Par2-expressing…

    We report an unexpected role for protease signaling in neural tube closure and the formation of the central nervous system. Mouse embryos lacking protease-activated receptors 1 and 2 showed defective hindbrain and posterior neuropore closure and developed exencephaly and spina bifida, important human congenital anomalies. Par1 and Par2 were expressed in surface ectoderm, and Par2 was expressed selectively along the line of closure. Ablation of Gi/z and Rac1 function in these Par2-expressing cells disrupted neural tube closure, further implicating G protein-coupled receptors and identifying a likely effector pathway. Cluster analysis of protease and Par2 expression patterns revealed a group of membrane-tethered proteases often coexpressed with Par2. Among these, matriptase activated Par2 with picomolar potency, and hepsin and prostasin activated matriptase. Together, our results suggest a role for protease-activated receptor signaling in neural tube closure and identify a local protease network that may trigger Par2 signaling and monitor and regulate epithelial integrity in this context.

    Other authors
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  • Global protein expression profiling underlines reciprocal regulation of caveolin 1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in ovariectomized sheep uterine artery by estrogen/progesterone replacement therapy.

    Biology of Reproduction

    Other authors
    • Dong-bao Chen
    • Eugenia Mata-Greenwood
    See publication

Honors & Awards

  • American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship

    American Heart Association

  • UCSF Graduate Dean’s Health Science Fellowship

    University of California, San Francisco

  • Member of Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society

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