UCLA Neuroscience Program Ph.D. Admissions Neuroscience Faculty UCLA and Beyond  



Karen Lyons
Growth Factor Signaling in Mammalian Development

Work Email Address:  klyons@mednet.ucla.edu
Laboratory: http://www.mcdb.ucla.edu/research/Lyons

Laboratory Address:
615 Charles E Young Dr. South
Office Address:
615 Charles E Young Dr. South
Work Address:
615 Charles E Young Dr. South
Phone Numbers:
(310) 825-5480

Selected Publications:

Pogue, R. and Lyons, K.M. BMP signaling in the cartilage growth plate. Curr Top Dev Biol 2006; 76: 1-48.
Nishida Takashi, Kondo Seiji, Maeda Azusa, Kubota Satoshi, Lyons Karen M, Takigawa Masaharu CCN family 2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) regulates the expression of Vegf through Hif-1alpha expression in a chondrocytic cell line, HCS-2/8, under hypoxic condition.. Bone. 2009; 44(1): 24-31.
Crawford Maureen, Guney Maureen, Oh Maureen, Deyoung Maureen, Valenzuela Maureen, Murphy Maureen, Yancopoulos Maureen, Lyons Maureen, Brigstock Maureen, Economides Maureen, Gannon Maureen Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) Inactivation Leads to Defects in Islet Cell Lineage Allocation and {beta} Cell Proliferation During Embryogenesis.. Molecular endocrinology (Baltimore, Md.). 2009; 94(2): .
Kawaki Harumi, Kubota Satoshi, Suzuki Akiko, Lazar Noureddine, Yamada Tomohiro, Matsumura Tatsushi, Ohgawara Toshihiro, Maeda Takeyasu, Perbal Bernard, Lyons Karen M, Takigawa Masaharu Cooperative regulation of chondrocyte differentiation by CCN2 and CCN3 shown by a comprehensive analysis of the CCN family proteins in cartilage.. Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. 2008; 23(11): 1751-64.
Sengle Gerhard, Ono Robert N, Lyons Karen M, Bächinger Hans Peter, Sakai Lynn Y A new model for growth factor activation: type II receptors compete with the prodomain for BMP-7.. Journal of molecular biology. 2008; 381(4): 1025-39.
Pala Daphne, Kapoor Mohit, Woods Anita, Kennedy Laura, Liu Shangxi, Chen Shioqiong, Bursell Laura, Lyons Karen M, Carter David E, Beier Frank, Leask Andrew Focal adhesion kinase/Src suppresses early chondrogenesis: central role of CCN2.. The Journal of biological chemistry. 2008; 283(14): 9239-47.
Laurencin Cato T, Einhorn Thomas A, Lyons Karen Fracture repair: challenges and opportunities.. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume. 2008; 90 Suppl 1(2): 1-2.
Kawaki Harumi, Kubota Satoshi, Suzuki Akiko, Yamada Tomohiro, Matsumura Tatsushi, Mandai Toshiko, Yao Mayumi, Maeda Takeyasu, Lyons Karen M, Takigawa Masaharu Functional requirement of CCN2 for intramembranous bone formation in embryonic mice.. Biochemical and biophysical research communications. 2008; 366(2): 450-6.
Nishida Takashi, Kawaki Harumi, Baxter Ruth M, Deyoung R Andrea, Takigawa Masaharu, Lyons Karen M CCN2 (Connective Tissue Growth Factor) is essential for extracellular matrix production and integrin signaling in chondrocytes.. Journal of cell communication and signaling. 2007; 1(1): 45-58.
Huang Bau-Lin, Dornbach Lisa M, Lyons Karen M The 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) of CCN1, CCN2, and CCN4 exhibit cryptic promoter activity.. Journal of cell communication and signaling. 2007; 1(1): 17-32.
Kennedy Laura, Liu Shangxi, Shi-Wen Xu, Chen Yunliang, Eastwood Mark, Sabetkar Mojhgan, Carter David E, Lyons Karen M, Black Carol M, Abraham David J, Leask Andrew CCN2 is necessary for the function of mouse embryonic fibroblasts.. Experimental cell research. 2007; 313(5): 952-64.
Yoon Byeong S, Pogue Robert, Ovchinnikov Dmitri A, Yoshii Isaac, Mishina Yuji, Behringer Richard R, Lyons Karen M BMPs regulate multiple aspects of growth-plate chondrogenesis through opposing actions on FGF pathways.. Development (Cambridge, England). 2006; 133(23): 4667-78.
Yoon, B.S., Pogue, R. Ovchinnikov, D. A., Yoshii, I., Mishina, Y., Behringer, R.R. and Lyons, K.M. BMPs regulate multiple aspects of growth-plate chondrogenesis through opposing actions on FGF pathways. Development 2006; 133(23): 4667-78.
Gamradt Seth C, Abe Nobuhiro, Bahamonde Matthew E, Lee Yu-Po, Nelson Scott D, Lyons Karen M, Lieberman Jay R Tracking expression of virally mediated BMP-2 in gene therapy for bone repair.. Clinical orthopaedics and related research. 2006; 450(23): 238-45.
Shi-wen Xu, Stanton Lee Anne, Kennedy Laura, Pala Daphne, Chen Yunliang, Howat Sarah L, Renzoni Elisabetta A, Carter David E, Bou-Gharios George, Stratton Richard J, Pearson Jeremy D, Beier Frank, Lyons Karen M, Black Carol M, Abraham David J, Leask Andrew CCN2 is necessary for adhesive responses to transforming growth factor-beta1 in embryonic fibroblasts.. The Journal of biological chemistry. 2006; 281(16): 10715-26.
Pogue Robert, Lyons Karen BMP signaling in the cartilage growth plate.. Current topics in developmental biology. 2006; 76(2): 1-48.
Lee Nathan V, Rodriguez-Manzaneque Juan Carlos, Thai Shelley N-M, Twal Waleed O, Luque Alfonso, Lyons Karen M, Argraves W Scott, Iruela-Arispe M Luisa Fibulin-1 acts as a cofactor for the matrix metalloprotease ADAMTS-1.. The Journal of biological chemistry. 2005; 280(41): 34796-804.
Kim Joon, Wu Hsiao-Huei, Lander Arthur D, Lyons Karen M, Matzuk Martin M, Calof Anne L GDF11 controls the timing of progenitor cell competence in developing retina.. Science (New York, N.Y.). 2005; 308(5730): 1927-30.
Yoon BS, Ovchinnikov DA, Yoshii I, Mishina Y, Behringer RR, Lyons KM Bmpr1a and Bmpr1b have overlapping functions and are essential for chondrogenesis in vivo.. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. . 2005; 102(14): 5062-7.
Yoon Byeong S, Ovchinnikov Dmitry A, Yoshii Isaac, Mishina Yuji, Behringer Richard R, Lyons Karen M Bmpr1a and Bmpr1b have overlapping functions and are essential for chondrogenesis in vivo.. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2005; 102(14): 5062-7.
Murali D, Yoshikawa S, Corrigan RR, Plas DJ, Crair MC, Oliver G, Lyons KM, Mishina Y, Furuta Y Distinct developmental programs require different levels of Bmp signaling during mouse retinal development.. Development (Cambridge, England) . 2005; 132(5): 913-23.
Chen Yunliang, Abraham David J, Shi-Wen Xu, Pearson Jeremy D, Black Carol M, Lyons Karen M, Leask Andrew CCN2 (connective tissue growth factor) promotes fibroblast adhesion to fibronectin.. Molecular biology of the cell. 2004; 15(12): 5635-46.
Chen Y, Abraham DJ, Shi-Wen X, Pearson JD, Black CM, Lyons KM, Leask A CCN2 (connective tissue growth factor) promotes fibroblast adhesion to fibronectin.. Molecular biology of the cell. . 2004; 15(12): 5635-46.
Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM, Feijen A, Korving J, Korchynskyi O, Larsson J, Karlsson S, ten Dijke P, Lyons KM, Goldschmeding R, Doevendans P, Mummery CL Connective tissue growth factor expression and Smad signaling during mouse heart development and myocardial infarction.. Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists. . 2004; 231(3): 542-50.
Wine-Lee Lara, Ahn Kyung J, Richardson Rory D, Mishina Yuji, Lyons Karen M, Crenshaw E Bryan Signaling through BMP type 1 receptors is required for development of interneuron cell types in the dorsal spinal cord.. Development (Cambridge, England). 2004; 131(21): 5393-403.
Wine-Lee L, Ahn KJ, Richardson RD, Mishina Y, Lyons KM, Crenshaw EB Signaling through BMP type 1 receptors is required for development of interneuron cell types in the dorsal spinal cord.. Development (Cambridge, England) . 2004; 131(21): 5393-403.
Yoon BS, Lyons KM Multiple functions of BMPs in chondrogenesis.. Journal of cellular biochemistry. . 2004; 93(1): 93-103.
Yoon Byeong S, Lyons Karen M Multiple functions of BMPs in chondrogenesis.. Journal of cellular biochemistry. 2004; 93(1): 93-103.
Andl T, Ahn K, Kairo A, Chu EY, Wine-Lee L, Reddy ST, Croft NJ, Cebra-Thomas JA, Metzger D, Chambon P, Lyons KM, Mishina Y, Seykora JT, Crenshaw EB, Millar SE Epithelial Bmpr1a regulates differentiation and proliferation in postnatal hair follicles and is essential for tooth development.. Development (Cambridge, England) . 2004; 131(10): 2257-68.
Ivkovic Sanja, Yoon Byeong S, Popoff Steven N, Safadi Fayez F, Libuda Diana E, Stephenson Robert C, Daluiski Aaron, Lyons Karen M Connective tissue growth factor coordinates chondrogenesis and angiogenesis during skeletal development.. Development (Cambridge, England). 2003; 130(12): 2779-91.
Ivkovic S, Yoon BS, Popoff SN, Safadi FF, Libuda DE, Stephenson RC, Daluiski A, Lyons KM Connective tissue growth factor coordinates chondrogenesis and angiogenesis during skeletal development.. Development (Cambridge, England) . 2003; 130(12): 2779-91.
Schneider MD, Gaussin V, Lyons KM Tempting fate: BMP signals for cardiac morphogenesis.. Cytokine & growth factor reviews. . 2003; 14(1): 1-4.
Wu HH, Ivkovic S, Murray RC, Jaramillo S, Lyons KM, Johnson JE, Calof AL Autoregulation of neurogenesis by GDF11.. Neuron. . 2003; 37(2): 197-207.
Wu Hsiao-Huei, Ivkovic Sanja, Murray Richard C, Jaramillo Sylvia, Lyons Karen M, Johnson Jane E, Calof Anne L Autoregulation of neurogenesis by GDF11.. Neuron. 2003; 37(2): 197-207.
Délot Emmanuèle C, Bahamonde Matthew E, Zhao Manxu, Lyons Karen M BMP signaling is required for septation of the outflow tract of the mammalian heart.. Development (Cambridge, England). 2003; 130(1): 209-20.
D??lot EC, Bahamonde ME, Zhao M, Lyons KM BMP signaling is required for septation of the outflow tract of the mammalian heart.. Development (Cambridge, England) . 2003; 130(1): 209-20.
Yi SE, LaPolt PS, Yoon BS, Chen JY, Lu JK, Lyons KM The type I BMP receptor BmprIB is essential for female reproductive function.. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. . 2001; 98(14): 7994-9.
Daluiski A, Engstrand T, Bahamonde ME, Gamer LW, Agius E, Stevenson SL, Cox K, Rosen V, Lyons KM Bone morphogenetic protein-3 is a negative regulator of bone density.. Nature genetics. . 2001; 27(1): 84-8.
Yi SE, Daluiski A, Pederson R, Rosen V, Lyons KM The type I BMP receptor BMPRIB is required for chondrogenesis in the mouse limb.. Development (Cambridge, England) . 2000; 127(3): 621-30.
Engstrand T, Daluiski A, Bahamonde ME, Melhus H, Lyons KM Transient production of bone morphogenetic protein 2 by allogeneic transplanted transduced cells induces bone formation.. Human gene therapy. . 2000; 11(1): 205-11.
Research Interest:

Many of the inductive events associated with vertebrate development are mediated by diffusible signals. The involvement of members of the transforming growth factor ߠfamily of growth regulatory molecules in aspects of cell cycle control, gene expression, and cell-cell interactions is well established. Members of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) subgroup of TGF߭related molecules have been implicated in many key signalling events in vertebrates and invertebrates. We are using the mouse as a model organism to study the roles of these regulatory factors during vertebrate development. We are interested in identifying the cellular targets of action of TGF߭related genes in a developmental context. Our approach is to take advantage of the genetic capabilities the mouse system offers, including transgenic and gene targeting technologies. We are also using organ and cell culture strategies to define the molecular mechanism of action of TGF߭related molecules in a biologically relevant context. These efforts have been facilitated by the recent identification of receptors for specific BMPs. We are currently developing cell culture systems and in vivo models to study BMP-mediated receptor signalling.