A Nuclear Variant of Gdf5 may present Novel Insights on Arthritis Formation

Authors

Michael Baldwin, Brigham Young University
Dr. Laura Bridgewater, Brigham Young University

Keywords

nuclear variant, Gdf5, arthritis formation

College

Life Sciences

Department

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Abstract

More than 40 million Americans suffer from the pains of arthritis. Arthritis is characterized by joint inflammation and cartilage deterioration (3). For many years growth differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5) has been associated with cartilage formation and maintenance (4, 1). Recently, a new variant of Gdf5 was discovered in the nucleus. Nuclear Gdf5 (nGdf5) presents a new mechanism by which Gdf5 regulates cartilage development and preservation. The long-term purpose of my research was aimed at learning the specific function of nGdf5 and determining its regulatory pathway. Understanding the role of nGdf5 would provide new information on cartilage breakdown and could establish new means for treating arthritis.

Recommended Citation

Baldwin, Michael and Bridgewater, Dr. Laura (2013) "A Nuclear Variant of Gdf5 may present Novel Insights on Arthritis Formation," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1284.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1284