
02Dic - 2024
Fractalkine-Mediated Neuroprotection in the Diabetic Retina
12:00 PM - 02:00 PM|Dra. Astrid Cardona|University of Texas|Invitado por: Dra. Leonor Pérez
Seminario
The Cardona lab focuses on inflammatory processes in the central nervous system (retina, brain, and spinal cord) and understanding the mechanisms of tissue damage in Diabetic retinopathy and demyelinating diseases. Her research is centered on the mechanisms that regulate microglia activation via signaling between the neuronal-derived chemokine fractalkine (FKN) and its receptor CX3CR1, which is highly expressed in resident microglia. As resident phagocytes, microglia are sensors of injury, acting as scavengers of damaged, injured, or targeted cells, synapses, and infectious agents. However, exaggerated microglial in response to injury can lead to bystander damage to neurons. Her studies have shown that FKN and CX3CR1 are highly abundant in the brain, spinal cord, and retina and directly inhibit the microglia’s inflammatory behavior. In humans, mutations in the CX3CR1 gene give rise to a defective receptor in its ability to bind the FKN. Therefore, understanding the role of the human versions of CX3CR1 is of clinical relevance for targeted clinical approaches. Specific areas of interest include:
- Clarifying the protective and detrimental roles of the innate immune system.
- Determining the origin of tissue injury and factors that account for disease progression.
- Testing neuroprotective therapies via modulation of innate immune cell function.
Actualizado 2024-11-25 23:05:38
21-Abril-2025 al 21-Abril-2025
12:00 PM
Dr. Adam A. Campos Acevedo
12:00 PM
Dr. Adam A. Campos Acevedo
Structural studies of angiomotin (AMOT)
The Hippo pathway is crucial for tumor suppression and is genetically altered in 10% of all human cancers. Hippo signaling regulates tissue proliferation, development, and apoptosis, and is a leading target for anticancer therapeutic development. Angiomotin (AMOT) functions as the central signaling platform that integrates Hippo signaling inputs and transduces them into biological outputs that either consolidate tight junctions and cell homeostasis (HIPPO “on”) or promote actin assembly and proliferative gene transcription (HIPPO “off”). In the Sundquist lab we propose to define the biochemistry and structural biology of central AMOT assemblies, both free and in complex with actin, inhibitory kinases, tumor suppressors, transcriptional co-activators, and ubiquitation enzymes. The completion of these aims will: 1) reveal the architectures of AMOT assemblies, 2) provide insights into how these platforms promote actin polymerization and thereby activate proliferation, and 3) position us well to obtain external funding for more comprehensive structural and functional studies of different motin family members, including other AMOT family isoforms and their complexes with the Merlin tumor suppressor, the HECT ubiquitin E3 ligase NEDD4L, inhibitory LATS1/2 kinases, and YAP/TAZ transcriptional coactivators.