Kidney Development and Cyst Formation - Caroline R. Sussman

Regulation of Cyst Formation by Phosphodiesterases

Dr. Sussman's lab is examining roles of cyclic nucleotide regulation in polycystic kidney disease (PKD). A variety of evidence links elevated levels of 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) to renal cyst formation. Furthermore, reducing cAMP levels inhibits cyst formation in rodent models. In vivo, renal cAMP levels are regulated primarily by their hydrolysis by phosphodiesterases (PDEs).

The lab is examining effects of altering PDE levels on renal cyst formation in zebrafish and rodent models in collaboration with Mayo colleagues Peter C. Harris, Ph.D.; Vicente Torres, M.D, Ph.D.; and Christopher Ward, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D.