Damon B. Pfeiffer Professor of Molecular Biology
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Contact
gavis@princeton.edu609-258-3857
609-258-1035
Schultz Laboratory, 416
Gavis Lab
Faculty Assistant
Matt MontondoEducation
M.D., Stanford University Medical SchoolPh.D., Biochemistry, Stanford University Medical Center
B.S., Biology, Yale University
Curriculum Vitae
Research Area
Cell Biology, Development & CancerResearch Focus
RNA biology meets developmental biology: post-transcriptional gene regulation in Drosophila developmentResearch
Selected Publications
Biography
Honors & Awards
RNA biology meets developmental biology: post-transcriptional gene regulation in Drosophila development
Development requires that an organism’s genes be expressed at precisely the right time and place, and controlling the transcription of genes to produce mRNAs is just the first step in ensuring that the proteins they encode are only produced when and where they are needed. The localization, translation, and degradation of mRNAs is carefully coordinated to allow the differentiation of specific cell lineages within the developing embryo, as well as the polarization of individual cells to form specialized domains such as neuronal dendrites.
The importance of this post-transcriptional regulation is indicated by the large number of RNA-binding proteins encoded in both the human and Drosophila genomes. RNA-binding proteins and their target RNAs can collaborate to create dynamic subcellular compartments known as granules, where many of the post-transcriptional regulatory steps take place.
Our lab uses high-resolution microscopy, genetics, and biochemistry to investigate how RNA granules assemble and how they regulate cell fate and function. We have used quantitative single-molecule imaging to examine how different mRNAs become localized to the posterior of the developing Drosophila egg where, due in part to sequences present in the mRNAs themselves, they are packaged into highly organized granules called germ granules. Later, during embryogenesis, the germ granules are segregated to the germ cell progenitors and guide their development to produce the future eggs and sperm.
Recently, we discovered that an RNA-binding protein called Glorund uses a unique mode of interaction to bind and repress the translation of mRNAs that have not been correctly localized to the posterior of the egg. Glorund binds to other RNAs in a different manner and probably regulates their splicing, suggesting that the use of different binding modes may increase the functional versatility of RNA-binding proteins.
We are also interested in how the coordinated regulation of RNA localization and translation controls dendritic arborization in neurons. We have used RNAi and transposon tagging screens to identify numerous RNA-binding proteins and localized RNAs involved in this process, and have determined how translational repression plays a neuroprotective role to maintain dendritic arbors.
Our current interests include: 1) how and why mRNAs are organized in germ granules; 2) how these granules guide germline development; 3) mechanisms used by RNA-binding proteins to recognize and control translation of their target mRNAs; and 4) roles for RNA-binding proteins in neuronal development.
Peng Y, Gavis ER. The Drosophila hnRNP F/H homolog Glorund recruits dFMRP to inhibit nanos translation elongation. Nucleic Acids Res. 2022 ;. PubMed
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Li H, Gavis ER. The Drosophila fragile X mental retardation protein modulates the neuronal cytoskeleton to limit dendritic arborization. Development. 2022 ;149(10). PubMed
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Valentino M, Ortega BM, Ulrich B, Doyle DA, Farnum ED, Joiner DA, et al. Computational modeling offers new insight into?Drosophila germ granule development. Biophys J. 2022 ;121(8):1465-1482. PubMed
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Doherty CA, Amargant F, Shvartsman SY, Duncan FE, Gavis ER. Bidirectional communication in oogenesis: a dynamic conversation in mice and Drosophila. Trends Cell Biol. 2022 ;32(4):311-323. PubMed
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Doherty CA, Diegmiller R, Kapasiawala M, Gavis ER, Shvartsman SY. Coupled oscillators coordinate collective germline growth. Dev Cell. 2021 ;56(6):860-870.e8. PubMed
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Eichler CE, Hakes AC, Hull B, Gavis ER. Compartmentalized degradation in the germ plasm safeguards germline development. Elife. 2020 ;9. PubMed
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Alizzi RA, Xu D, Tenenbaum CM, Wang W, Gavis ER. The ELAV/Hu protein Found in neurons regulates cytoskeletal and ECM adhesion inputs for space-filling dendrite growth. PLoS Genet. 2020 ;16(12):e1009235. PubMed
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Trcek T, Douglas TE, Grosch M, Yin Y, Eagle WVI, Gavis ER, et al. Sequence-Independent Self-Assembly of Germ Granule mRNAs into Homotypic Clusters. Mol Cell. 2020 ;78(5):941-950.e12. PubMed
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Eagle WVI, Yeboah-Kordieh DK, Niepielko MG, Gavis ER. Distinct -acting elements mediate targeting and clustering of polar granule mRNAs. Development. 2018 ;145(22). PubMed
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Niepielko MG, Eagle WVI, Gavis ER. Stochastic Seeding Coupled with mRNA Self-Recruitment Generates Heterogeneous Drosophila Germ Granules. Curr Biol. 2018 ;28(12):1872-1881.e3. PubMed
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Tenenbaum CM, Misra M, Alizzi RA, Gavis ER. Enclosure of Dendrites by Epidermal Cells Restricts Branching and Permits Coordinated Development of Spatially Overlapping Sensory Neurons. Cell Rep. 2017 ;20(13):3043-3056. PubMed
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Aguilera-Gomez A, Zacharogianni M, van Oorschot MM, Genau H, Grond R, Veenendaal T, et al. Phospho-Rasputin Stabilization by Sec16 Is Required for Stress Granule Formation upon Amino Acid Starvation. Cell Rep. 2017 ;20(4):935-948. PubMed
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Tamayo JV, Teramoto T, Chatterjee S, Hall TMTanaka, Gavis ER. The Drosophila hnRNP F/H Homolog Glorund Uses Two Distinct RNA-Binding Modes to Diversify Target Recognition. Cell Rep. 2017 ;19(1):150-161. PubMed
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Lerit DA, Shebelut CW, Lawlor KJ, Rusan NM, Gavis ER, Schedl P, et al. Germ Cell-less Promotes Centrosome Segregation to Induce Germ Cell Formation. Cell Rep. 2017 ;18(4):831-839. PubMed
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Abbaszadeh EK, Gavis ER. Fixed and live visualization of RNAs in Drosophila oocytes and embryos. Methods. 2016 ;98:34-41. PubMed
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Tenenbaum CM, Gavis ER. Removal of Drosophila Muscle Tissue from Larval Fillets for Immunofluorescence Analysis of Sensory Neurons and Epidermal Cells. J Vis Exp. 2016 ;(117). PubMed
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Trovisco V, Belaya K, Nashchekin D, Irion U, Sirinakis G, Butler R, et al. mRNA localises to the oocyte anterior by random Dynein-mediated transport and anchoring. Elife. 2016 ;5. PubMed
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Misra M, Edmund H, Ennis D, Schlueter MA, Marot JE, Tambasco J, et al. A Genome-Wide Screen for Dendritically Localized RNAs Identifies Genes Required for Dendrite Morphogenesis. G3 (Bethesda). 2016 ;6(8):2397-405. PubMed
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Bhogal B, Plaza-Jennings A, Gavis ER. Nanos-mediated repression of hid protects larval sensory neurons after a global switch in sensitivity to apoptotic signals. Development. 2016 ;143(12):2147-59. PubMed
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Little SC, Sinsimer KS, Lee JJ, Wieschaus EF, Gavis ER. Independent and coordinate trafficking of single Drosophila germ plasm mRNAs. Nat Cell Biol. 2015 ;17(5):558-68. PubMed
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López-Panadès E, Gavis ER, Casacuberta E. Specific Localization of the Drosophila Telomere Transposon Proteins and RNAs, Give Insight in Their Behavior, Control and Telomere Biology in This Organism. PLoS One. 2015 ;10(6):e0128573. PubMed
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Olesnicky EC, Killian DJ, Garcia E, Morton MC, Rathjen AR, Sola IE, et al. Extensive use of RNA-binding proteins in Drosophila sensory neuron dendrite morphogenesis. G3 (Bethesda). 2014 ;4(2):297-306. PubMed
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Sinsimer KS, Lee JJ, Thiberge SY, Gavis ER. Germ plasm anchoring is a dynamic state that requires persistent trafficking. Cell Rep. 2013 ;5(5):1169-77. PubMed
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Elizabeth Gavis (Liz) is the Damon B. Pfeiffer Professor in the Life Sciences in the Department of Molecular Biology and an Associated Faculty of the Princeton Neuroscience Institute at Princeton University. Liz became hooked on research during a summer internship at the Carnegie Institute for Embryology, just after graduating from high school. She majored in Biology at Yale University, continuing her work at the Carnegie Institute and then at Johns Hopkins University Medical School during her college summers. These experiences led her to enter the MSTP and the Biochemistry Department at Stanford University Medical School, where she earned MD and PhD degrees. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the Whitehead Institute at MIT, Liz joined the Princeton faculty in 1994.?
Liz's research bridges the disciplines of RNA biology and developmental biology. Her lab is particularly interested in post-transcriptional mechanisms, like mRNA localization, that spatially control gene expression during development. In addition to mentoring students and postdocs in the lab, Liz serves as Director of the Department of Molecular Biology undergraduate program. She teaches one of the largest courses at Princeton – "Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology" – as well as a graduate level genetics course. Liz helped found the joint Princeton/Rutgers University MD/PhD program and served as its first Princeton director. She has also served as President of the Drosophila Board of Directors and as member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Developmental Biology. Liz is an Associate Editor for the journal G3 and a member of several editorial boards. She has worked to promote the advancement of women in science, including participation in mentorship programs at Princeton, Hunter College, and The College of New Jersey.