Bridgewater, Laura

Microbiology & Molecular Biology

Email: laura_bridgewater@byu.edu

Website: http://bridgewaterlab.byu.edu

775A WIDB
Provo, UT 84602
(801) 422-2434

Associate Professor

Curriculum Vitae

Teaching Interests

Molecular Biology, Gene Regulation, Genes and Cancer

Research Interests

The primary focus of research in the Bridgewater Lab is the novel nuclear variant of BMP2, which we discovered in 2010 and named nBMP2. BMP2 has previously been recognized as a secreted growth factor that participates in bone and cartilage formation, limb formation, patterning, heart development, and apoptosis. We have discovered another form of BMP2 that is translated from the same mRNA transcript but from an alternative downstream start codon, which eliminates the signal peptide and thus prevents trafficking through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi. Instead, translation occurs in the cytoplasm and a nuclear localization signal directs translocation to the nucleus. We have generated a “knock-in” mouse line in which nuclear translocation of nBMP2 is blocked while secreted BMP2 is produced normally. Preliminary studies on this mouse line suggest that nBMP2 affects skeletal muscle contractions, learning and memory, cell cycle progression, and spleen development. Each of these areas has thus become a target of ongoing research in the lab.

Courses Taught

Fall 2012

BIO 661: Molecular Biology of the Cell Section 001
MMBIO 240: Molecular Biology Section 004
MMBIO 494R: Mentored Research Section 003
MMBIO 661: Molecular Biology of the Cell Section 001
PDBIO 661: Molecular Biology of the Cell Section 001
PWS 661: Molecular Biology of the Cell Section 001

Summer 2012

MMBIO 494R: Mentored Research Section 002
MMBIO 551R: Current Topics Section 002
MMBIO 695R: Research Section 002
MMBIO 799R: Dissertation Section 001

Spring 2012

MMBIO 399R: Academic Internship Section 001
MMBIO 494R: Mentored Research Section 002
MMBIO 695R: Research Section 002

Winter 2012

BIO 662: Genomics, Mol Evol, Devel Bio Section 001
MMBIO 494R: Mentored Research Section 003
MMBIO 662: Genomics, Mol Evol, Devel Bio Section 001
MMBIO 695R: Research Section 003
PDBIO 662: Genomics, Mol Evol, Devel Bio Section 001
PWS 662: Genomics, Mol Evol, Devel Bio Section 001

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Holt DW, Henderson ML, Stockdale CE, Ferrell JT, Kooyman DL, Bridgewater LC, Seegmiller RE. Osteoarthritis-like changes in the heterozygous sedc mouse associated with the HtrA1-Ddr2-Mmp-13 degradative pathway: a new model of osteoarthritis. Ostoeoarthritis and Cartilage. 2012 Jan;20:430-439. <website>

Holt DW, Henderson ML, Stockdale CE, Farrell JT, Kooyman DL, Bridgewater LC, Seegmiller RE. Osteoarthritis-like changes in the heterozygous sedc mouse associated with the HtrA1-Ddr2-Mmp-13 degradative pathway: A new model of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2012 Jan;20:430-439. <website>

Felin JE, Mayo JL, Loos TJ, Jensen JD, Sperry DK, Gaufin SL, Meinhart CA, Moss JB, Bridgewater LC. Nuclear variants of bone morphogenetic proteins. BMC Cell Biology. 2010 Jan;11:20. <website>

Mayo JL, Holden DN, Barrow JR, Bridgewater LC. The transcription factor Lc-Maf participates in Col27a1 regulation during chondrocyte maturation. Experimental Cell Research. 2009 May;315:2293-2300. <website>

Identification of a novel RARE that requires an enhancer element mediator for transcriptional activation. Biochemical Journal. 2004;383:37-43.

Conference Proceedings

Cordner RD, Ventura JS, Blickenstaff JW, Walther CK, Mayo JL, Felin JE, Andreasen B, Wallace NB, Barrow JR, Edwards JG, et al. Mice bearing a targeted mutation of nBmp2 display decreased memory capabilities. 2010 Apr.

Seegmiller RE, Niederhauser CM, Monta?o C, Bomsta BD, Wink AE, Sudweeks SN. Aggrecan expression in Dmm mice. supplementth ed. Nashville, Tennessee: Matrix Biology; 2006 Nov.

Presentations

Rogers AC, Nichols BA, Loos TJ, Bridgewater LC. Nuclear Bmp4 interacts with the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and inhibits the cell cycle. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Meeting. 2012 Apr.

Ricks M, Falk DJ, Farrell JT, Rees MB, Carr JM, Williams DT, Kooyman DL, Bridgewater LC, Seegmiller RE. Premature osteoarthritis in the temporomandibular joint of heterozygous disproportionate micromelia mice. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Meeting. 2012 Apr.