Projects
Host cell phosphatases in the life cycle of DNA viruses KU Leuven
The role of the Protein Phosphatase 2A Activator PTPA in KRAS-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer development and treatment resistance KU Leuven
Reversible protein phosphorylation, catalyzed by kinases and phosphatases, is arguably one of the most prominent signaling mechanisms in the human cell. Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a major family of Serine/Threonine protein phosphatases of which the members are involved in a broad array of cellular processes, such as mitogenic signaling, growth, cell division, DNA transcription, protein translation, DNA damage signaling and repair, ...
Targeting radiotherapy resistance in Head and Neck Cancers: the potential biomarker role of TIPRL1 and CIP2A, two cellular inhibitors of Protein Phosphatase 2A KU Leuven
Being one of the main post-translational modifications, reversible protein phosphorylation is of major importance in signal transduction regulation. Over the years, the kinases phosphorylating many substrates have been extensively studied, while the protein phosphatases have been lagging behind. The PP2A-like phosphatases PP2A, PP4 and PP6, all have been shown to play a role in the regulation of tumorigenesis and the DNA damage response ...
Screening for inhibitors of protein phosphatases that induce mitotic cell death in cancer cells KU Leuven
To this day, cancer is a prevalent disease that accounts for a significant portion of the mortality that is seen in the modern world. The taxanes and vinca alkaloids play a prominent role in the treatment of many types of cancer. These molecules kill cancer cells in mitosis by chronicly activating the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and subsequently inducing mitotic cell death (MCD). However, the clinical use of these molecules has two ...
Characterization of the ACR4-AUR1/2-PP2A phosphorylation module in root growth Ghent University
The importance of the plant root system – which is taking care of indispensable plant functions such as uptake of nutrients and water, anchorage in the substrate and interactions with symbiotic organisms – is well-recognized (1). However, to maintain primary root growth and to create lateral organs, plants require coordinated (asymmetric) anticlinal and periclinal cell divisions followed by correct cell fate specification and cell ...
Role of receptor tyrosine kinases and associated gangliosides in influenza virus replication KU Leuven
Influenza infections produce significant medical and socio-economic burden. Every year, human influenza A and B viruses cause millions of cases of severe respiratory illness and death. Every so often, a pandemic arises when a zoonotic influenza A virus with sustained human transmissibility enters the human population. Antivirals are crucial for influenza treatment and prevention, especially in fragile populations such as elderly. At the ...