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Centre for Cancer Research
Cell adhesion signalling
Laboratory head: Associate Professor Greg Hannigan
The Cell Adhesion Signalling laboratory studies cellular protein interactions governing proliferation, differentiation, migration and survival. Our experimental work is focused on the integrin-linked kinase, ILK, and its associated proteins. ILK is a cytoplasmic protein kinase that binds to cell adhesion receptors (integrins), thereby physically linking the plasma membrane and actin cytoskeleton and functioning as a major signalling node governing cell shape changes, migration and growth. ILK is constitutively activated in many common cancers, such as breast, colon, prostate and lung. Pre-clinical mouse models have shown that inhibiting ILK activity is effective in suppressing tumour growth and tumour angiogenesis. Scientists working in this lab have a strong translational interest, focused on development of ILK inhibitors as potential anti-cancer therapeutics.
In addition to tumour progression, ILK plays an essential role in normal tissue development. Thus, a new interest of the group is to investigate ILK protein complexes in the context of dysregulated developmental pathways and cancer. In related work we have shown that ILK regulates cardiac growth, and demonstrated a role for ILK in promoting cardiac stem cell growth. The group's approach to ILK is comprehensive, including projects aimed at understanding ILK protein structure, interactions and signalling, using state-of-the-art molecular protocols, cell culture and animal models to dissect these pathways. Local and international collaborations, with cardiac specialists and structural biologists, are an important ongoing part of the work undertaken in the lab.
Current projects:
- ILK signalling complexes and regulation of cell migration
- The role of the Parvin family of cytoskeletal adaptor proteins in signal transduction
- ILK regulation of cardiac stem cell biology and cardiac repair
- Crystal structure of ILK and ILK complexes
- High throughput screens for novel ILK modulating compounds
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