Miss Nataly Martynyuk University positionPhD student DepartmentsDepartment of Clinical Neurosciences InstitutesCambridge Centre for Brain Repair Research ThemesInterestsThe neuron-specific alpha1- and alpha2-chimaerins both contain a C1 domain that recruits chimaerins to DAG-containing membranes, and a GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) domain which acts as a specific inactivator of a Rho family GTPase Rac. Alpha2-chimaerin's SH2 domain keeps the molecule in an inactive conformation until a specific receptor ligation and phosphorylation takes place. In contrast, alpha1-chimaerin is constitutively unlocked and regulated at the level of protein degradation. Alpha2-chimaerin is the predominant developmental isoform regulating EphA4R-dependent growth-cone collapse, while alpha1-chimaerin is the postnatal form expressed in highly plastic brain areas. HYPOTHESIS: Alpha1-chimaerin exerts its action leading to cellular process collapse through dynamic membrane complexes with partner molecules that include EphRs (EphA4 in particular), p35, STAT3, NMDARs, Fyn, Cdk5, GEFs (guanosine exchange factors, molecules with effects opposite to GAPs), and other chimaerins. Research Focus
EquipmentCell culture Co-immunoprecipitation Confocal microscopy Fluorescence microscopy Immunohistochemistry Microscopy Recombinant protein expression |