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| MATTHEW FREEMAN | |
| Intercellular signalling and rhomboids |
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Cells learn their fate from their neighbours. Intercellular signalling therefore controls most aspects of growth and development and its disruption leads to many diseases. Drosophila is a powerful system for studying intercellular signalling: it allows a combination of genetic, cellular and molecular approaches and, because signalling components have been well conserved, the results from flies are often applicable to mammalian cells. We have exploited this conservation to extend our research from Drosophila into other organisms including humans. |
We have focused on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and our goals have been two-fold: to discover the molecular mechanisms that control its activity and to understand the regulatory principles that allow it to control complex developmental processes. This work has led us to rhomboid, the key regulator of EGFR activity in Drosophila. We have discovered that rhomboid is a novel protease – an intramembrane serine protease – and that it is conserved across evolution. We have examined the functions of rhomboids in a variety of species and are now, amongst other things, pursuing their potential medical significance. |
| McQuibban, G.A., Saurya, S. & Freeman, M. (2003) Mitochondrial membrane remodelling regulated by a conserved rhomboid protease. Nature 423, 537-541. Baonza, A. & Freeman, M. (2005) Lemberg, M.K., Menendez, J., Misik, J., Garcia, M., Koth, C.M. & Freeman, M. (2005) |
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