Biophysical characterization of lipid/protein interactions: How lipids mediate PTEN tumor suppressor function
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Biophysical characterization of lipid/protein interactions: How lipids mediate PTEN tumor suppressor function
Thu, 03/10/2013 - 10:30 to 12:30
Location:
Speaker:
Dr Arne Gericke
Affiliation:
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts
Synopsis:
Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) has been identified as the most important regulator of the PI 3-Kinase signaling pathway. Mutation or deletion of one copy of this protein results in a tumorigenic state and PTEN has been identified as the second most important tumor suppressor, rivaled only by p53. We have shown that PTEN binds synergistically to phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) and phosphatidylserine (PS). While PS binding is associated with PTEN’s C2 domain, we have shown that PTEN N-terminal end binds to PI(4,5)P2, which leads to the activation of the protein. I will discuss in this talk the molecular details of the PTEN/PI(4,5)P2 interaction and how the composition of the lipid bilayer as well as the lateral distribution of the lipids affect PTEN function. I will present data that suggest involvement of phosphatidylinositol in the control of PTEN function.
Biography:
Education:
1988 Diplom-Chemistry University of Hamburg, Germany
Prof. Dr. H. Huehnerfuss
1994 Dr. rer. Nat. University of Hamburg, Germany
Prof. Dr. H. Huehnerfuss
Topic: Infrared spectroscopic characterization of monolayers at the air/water interface
Employment:
1994 – 1997 Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ.
Prof. R. Mendelsohn
(IR spectroscopy of lipids, proteins and tissue)
1997 – 2000 Senior Research Assistant (Habilitation Candidate), Max Planck group for Liquid Crystals, University of Halle, Halle, Germany
Prof. A. Blume
(Spectroscopic and thermodynamic characterization of lipid/protein interactions)
2000 – 2006 Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry/ School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University
2006 – 2011 Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry/School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University
8/2011 – present John C. Metzger Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
General research area: Biophysical characterization of lipid/protein interactions
Editorial board “Biophysical Journal” and editorial advisory board “Chemistry and Physics of Lipids”