Richard McKenney, PhD

Associate Professor | University of California
March of Dimes
Richard McKenney

Richard J. McKenney, Associate Professor, University of California

Biography

Dr. Richard McKenney’s work focuses on the molecular details of the internal “cytoskeleton” of cells composed of filamentous proteins called microtubules that serve as tracks for intracellular cargo transport. Fascinating molecular motor proteins carry cargos back and forth along these microtubules, a process that is absolutely critical for normal human development and health. The McKenney lab at UC – Davis utilizes cutting-edge biochemical and biophysical techniques to study how individual motor molecules operate within this intricate system, and how mutations in many of the components of the cytoskeleton result in human neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases. The McKenney lab takes a “bottom up” approach in trying to understand how individual components of complicated molecular systems function in order to fully understand the important mechanistic details that underly the complex biology of cells and human disease. Dr. McKenney has also partnered with patient advocacy groups to understand the molecular details that underpin rare neurodegenerative diseases. The McKenney lab is funded by NIGMS, March of Dimes, KIF1A.org, NIA, and NINDS.

Education

BS Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH (2002)

PhD Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY (2010)

Honors and recognition

PhD with Distinction, Columbia University (2010)

NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) (2015)

March of Dimes Basil O’Conner Award (2018)

Named a “Cell Scientist to Watch” by Journal of Cell Science (https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.237891) (2019)

Early Career Award, Motility & Cytoskeleton Subgroup – Biophysical Society (2020)

Selected publications

  1. Okada, K., Iyer, B.R., Lammers, L.G., Gutierrez, P., Li, W., Markus, S.M., and McKenney, R.J. (2023). Conserved Roles for the Dynein Intermediate Chain and Ndel1 in Assembly and Activation of Dynein. bioRxiv. 10.1101/2023.01.13.523097.
  2. Siahaan, V., Tan, R., Humhalova, T., Libusova, L., Lacey, S.E., Tan, T., Dacy, M., Ori-McKenney, K.M., McKenney, R.J., Braun, M., and Lansky, Z. (2022). Microtubule lattice spacing governs cohesive envelope formation of tau family proteins. Nat Chem Biol 18, 1224-1235. 10.1038/s41589-022-01096-2.
  3. Chiba, K., Ori-McKenney, K.M., Niwa, S., and McKenney, R.J. (2022). Synergistic autoinhibition and activation mechanisms control kinesin-1 motor activity. Cell Rep 39, 110900. 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110900.
  4. Lam, A.J., Rao, L., Anazawa, Y., Okada, K., Chiba, K., Dacy, M., Niwa, S., Gennerich, A., Nowakowski, D.W., and McKenney, R.J. (2021). A highly conserved 3(10) helix within the kinesin motor domain is critical for kinesin function and human health. Sci Adv 7. 10.1126/sciadv.abf1002.
  5. Tan, R., Foster, P.J., Needleman, D.J., and McKenney, R.J. (2018). Cooperative Accumulation of Dynein-Dynactin at Microtubule Minus-Ends Drives Microtubule Network Reorganization. Dev Cell 44, 233-247.e234. 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.12.023.
  6. Tan, R., Foster, P.J., Needleman, D.J., and McKenney, R.J. (2018). Cooperative Accumulation of Dynein-Dynactin at Microtubule Minus-Ends Drives Microtubule Network Reorganization. Dev Cell 44, 233-247.e234. 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.12.023.
  7. Gutierrez, P.A., Ackermann, B.E., Vershinin, M., and McKenney, R.J. (2017). Differential effects of the dynein-regulatory factor Lissencephaly-1 on processive dynein-dynactin motility. J Biol Chem 292, 12245-12255. 10.1074/jbc.M117.790048.
  8. McKenney, R.J., Huynh, W., Vale, R.D., and Sirajuddin, M. (2016). Tyrosination of α-tubulin controls the initiation of processive dynein-dynactin motility. Embo J 35, 1175-1185. 10.15252/embj.201593071.
  9. McKenney, R.J., Weil, S.J., Scherer, J., and Vallee, R.B. (2011). Mutually exclusive cytoplasmic dynein regulation by NudE-Lis1 and dynactin. J Biol Chem 286, 39615-39622. 10.1074/jbc.M111.289017.
  10. McKenney, R.J., Vershinin, M., Kunwar, A., Vallee, R.B., and Gross, S.P. (2010). LIS1 and NudE induce a persistent dynein force-producing state. Cell 141, 304-314. 10.1016/j.cell.2010.02.035.

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