|
|
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Zyxin contributions to cell adhesion and migration
Cell motility
Focal adhesions
Zyxin
My research in Mary Beckerle's lab at the Huntsman Cancer Institute is directed towards elucidating the mechanics and regulation of cell motility. The complex collections of proteins which localize to sites of cell attachment to the underlying matrix form structures called focal adhesions. Zyxin is a prominent focal adhesion protein which was originally discovered by Mary Beckerle. It is clear that zyxin contributes to the focal adhesion localization of several other proteins, since removal of zyxin leads to loss of those proteins from focal adhesions. We are currently investigating the role of zyxin in focal adhesion formation, actin filament assembly, cell adhesion and cell migration. We hope that learning more about how cells adhere and move will lead to development of strategies to control aberrant cell migration such as occurs in metastatic cancers.
Selected publications:
Hoffman, L., C. Jensen, S. Kloeker, C.-L.A. Wang, M. Yoshigi, M. Beckerle
(2006) "Genetic ablation of zyxin causes Mena/VASP mislocalization,
increased motility, and deficits in actin remodeling" J. Cell Biol. 172(5),
771-782.
Yoshigi, M.*, L. Hoffman*, C. Jensen, H.J. Yost, M. Beckerle, (2005)
"Mechanical force mobilizes zyxin from focal adhesions to actin filaments
and regulates cytoskeletal reinforcement" J. Cell Biol. 171(2), 209-215.
*equal contributors
Hoffman, L.M., D. Nix, B. Benson, R. Boot-Hanford, E. Gustafsson, C. Jamora, A.S. Menzies, K.L. Goh, C.C. Jensen, F. B. Gertler, E. Fuchs, R. Fässler, M.C. Beckerle (2003) "Targeted Disruption of the Murine zyxin Gene" Mol. Cell. Biol. 23 (1), 70-79.
| |
|
|
