Chada S. Reddy, B.V.Sc., PhD

Email: ReddyC@missouri.edu

Research Interests: Vertebrate Development and Developmental Toxicology

Teaching: Toxicology

Dr. Reddy's research focus is on the mechanisms of pathogenesis of developmental defects (especially cleft palate) by mycotoxins (e.g., secalonic acid D) and other chemicals to which human beings and animals are exposed. Dr. Reddy's interests also include the elucidation of toxic effects of environmental chemicals on animal reproduction.

Cleft Palate is the most common developmental abnormality both in human beings and animals. A mouse model and embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells of mouse and human origin are being utilized to investigate the effect of chemicals on various palatal signaling mechanisms (including those of growth factors and other extracellular ligands) involved in the synthesis of extracellular matrix components, apoptosis and cell proliferation. Effect of chemicals on palatal protein kinases (PKA, PKC and Cyclin Dependent Kinases) and cell cycle genes are the focus of current studies aimed at understanding their roles in normal palate development and in abnormal palate development following chemical exposure. Ultimate goal is to develop gene modulation approaches relevant to the prevention of chemical-induced developmental defects (cleft palate) even in the face of their continuing exposure.

Selected Publications:
Balasubramanian G and Reddy CS: Novel Mechanism of Protein Kinase C Inhibition Involving the Pseudosubstrate Region by Secalonic Acid D. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 163: 86-93, 2000.

Balasubramanian G Hanumegowda U and Reddy CS: Secalonic acid D alters the nature and inhibits the binding of the transcription factors to the phorbol 12-O-tetradecanoate-13-acetate (TPA)-response element in the developing murine secondary palate. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 169: 142-150, 2000.

Umesh H Balasubramanian G and Reddy CS: Secalonic acid D alters the phosphorylation of transcription factors and their binding to cAMP response element in developing murine secondary palate. J. Craniofac.Genet. Dev. Biol., 20:173-182, 2001.

Hanumegowda U Dhulipala VC and Reddy CS: Mechanism of Secalonic acid D-induced inhibition of transcription factor binding to cyclic AMP response element in developing murine palate, Toxicol Sci, , 70:55-62, 2002.

Dhulipala VC, Hanumegowda UM, Balasubramanian G and Reddy CS: Relevance of the palatal protein kinase A pathway to the pathogenesis of cleft palate by secalonic acid D in mice, Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 194:270-279, 2004.

Dhulipala, V. C., Welshons, W. V. and Reddy, C. S.: Inhibition of Human Embryonic Palatal Mesenchymal Cell Cycle by Secalonic Acid D: A Probable Mechanism of Its Cleft Palate Induction, Orthodont. Craniofac. Res., 7:227-236, 2004.