Dr. Ramesh is an Associate Professor of Neurology (Genetics) at Harvard Medical School and an Associate Neurologist at MGH. She obtained her Ph.D. from University of Madras, India and completed postdoctoral training in the laboratories of James Gusella (MGH) and Dr. Vivian Shih (MGH). She is a member of the Molecular Neurogenetics Unit and the Center for Human Genetic Research at MGH. She also directs a Monoclonal Antibody Core.
Dr. Ramesh’s laboratory investigates tumor suppressor genes and their functions, particularly tumor suppressors related to Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) and Tuberous Sclerosis 1 and 2 (TSC). The NF2 protein merlin is a cytoskeletal-associated protein with a variety of functions. Her laboratory is working on understanding merlin's functions through two of its interacting partners, NHERF and Magicin. NHERF is a multifunctional adaptor protein that links various ion channels and receptors to the actin cytoskeleton through merlin and its related family members Ezrin, Radixin and Moesin (ERMs). Magicin, a novel cytoskeletal protein that we have isolated recently appears to have an essential role in signaling to the actin cytoskeleton as well as in transcription regulation.
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), an autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2, is characterized by the development of hamartomas in a variety of organs. We have shown distinct activation of Akt/MAPK pathways in the CNS tumors of TSC patients, which may contribute to some of the neurological manifestations seen in TSC. Our most recent work documents the binding of TSC2 protein tuberin with Pam, a huge protein originally identified as associated with c-My. Dr. Ramesh’s laboratory is investigating whether Pam function as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulating the stability of the TSC proteins and other key signaling molecules in neurons, thus playing a role in synaptic plasticity.
Her laboratory is also involved in an active collaboration with Dr. Breakefield and colleagues to understand the functions of the torsion dystonia protein torsin and its family members.
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