Regulation Of SRC-Family And Focal Adhesion Kinase Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,338.00
Summary
Cells in our bodies stick to one another and to the cementing material called extracellular matrix surrounding them. An ezyme called focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a major regulator of cell stickiness. It can catalyze the covalent attachment of a chemical group called phosphate to specific cellular protein. This proposal aims at studying how FAK is regulated by insulin stimulation and how FAK is regulated by a tumour suppressor called PTEN. Results of the study will shed light on how abberration ....Cells in our bodies stick to one another and to the cementing material called extracellular matrix surrounding them. An ezyme called focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a major regulator of cell stickiness. It can catalyze the covalent attachment of a chemical group called phosphate to specific cellular protein. This proposal aims at studying how FAK is regulated by insulin stimulation and how FAK is regulated by a tumour suppressor called PTEN. Results of the study will shed light on how abberrations in the regulation and PTEN contribute to the development of development defects, heart attack, and the spreading of cancer cells.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases Regulating Eph RTK-signalling And Modulating Invasive Tumour Cell Properties.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$303,828.00
Summary
The Ephs and interacting ephrins are proteins on the cell surface, which enable orientation of cells that move within the body tissues and organs, but also in tumours. Eph proteins have tyrosine kinase enzyme activity that becomes active after binding ephrins on neighbouring cells. Once active, they instruct these cells to change their shape and their adhesion to the substratum or between each other, and to become more motile. In adult organisms Ephs and ephrins are low in most cells, but they r ....The Ephs and interacting ephrins are proteins on the cell surface, which enable orientation of cells that move within the body tissues and organs, but also in tumours. Eph proteins have tyrosine kinase enzyme activity that becomes active after binding ephrins on neighbouring cells. Once active, they instruct these cells to change their shape and their adhesion to the substratum or between each other, and to become more motile. In adult organisms Ephs and ephrins are low in most cells, but they re-appear in many tumors. For example, when normal cells in the skin (melanocytes) become tumor cells, they often will have Ephs and ephrins on their surface. It is believed that these proteins will now affect if these melanoma cells will migrate and to which locations within the body. In our studies we will examine what controls the activity of Eph proteins. In particular, a class of enzymes called tyrosine phosphatases are known to regulate the function of tyrosine kinase receptors, however it is not clear which particular phosphatase regulates EphA3, the focus of our studies. We will find out, which set of phosphatases regulates EphA3 function and whether exposure to oxidative conditions, such as UV radiation, also activates Ephs and instructs tumour cells to become more motile and to invade other areas of the body. The understanding of this mechanism will help to understand the cause of cancers such as melanoma and might offer possibilities to optimise new strategies for its treatment.Read moreRead less
Trafficking Mechanisms Governing Receptor Availability For Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,978.00
Summary
Receptors on the cell surface allow cells to respond to their environment. We have recently discovered a new pathway for controlling the amount of receptors displayed on the cell surface, errors within which will lead to defects in development and diseases like cancer. We are studying how this new pathway controls the balance between how much receptors are destroyed after being activated and how much are recycled back for re-use.
Structural Investigation Into The Regulation Of The Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor, C-FMS.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
The colony stimulating factor receptor, c-FMS is a member of a family of protein signalling molecules expressed on the cell surface that are implicated in the development of serious diseases in humans, such as inflammatory diseases and cancer. A number of important proteins bind to and regulate c-FMS in different ways. I intend to visualise these interactions to further understand how c-FMS activity is controlled by alternative means.