Institute Seminar Wednesday 9th of November Edward Leithe - Dept. of Molecular Oncology
The next Institute Seminar will take place Wednesday 9th of November at 12:00 in the auditorium in the Research Building, Montebello.
Speaker: Edward Leithe - Dept. of Molecular Oncology
Title of his talk: The NEDD4 family of E3 ubiquitin ligases in cell communication and cancer
Abstract:
Adjacent cells in tissues communicate directly by exchanging ions and small molecules via intercellular channels. Such channels assemble into arrays in the plasma membrane, forming distinct intercellular structures known as gap junctions. Intercellular communication via gap junctions has an important role in regulating cell growth and differentiation, as well as in maintaining tissue homeostasis. The gap junction channels are formed by a family of integral membrane proteins called connexins. Emerging evidence indicates that intercellular communication via gap junctions is tightly regulated by post-translational modifications of connexins by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins. The connexins are often downregulated in cancer cells, resulting in loss of intercellular communication. The objective of this project is twofold. First, we aim to provide a better understanding of the functional importance and clinical relevance of connexins in colorectal cancer. Second, we aim to delineate the molecular basis underlying the loss of gap junctions during cancer pathogenesis, with emphasis on the role of the ubiquitin system. We are focusing on the role of the NEDD4 family of E3 ubiquitin ligases, which consists of nine members in humans, several of which have important roles in cancer development .
Links:
Home page of Edward Leithe's project group Cell signalling
Department of Molecular Oncology
Institute seminars, autumn 2016