Team 4: Protein Phosphorylation and Human Pathologies

Protein phosphorylation is one of the post-translational mechanisms developed by cells to finely regulate metabolic pathways. The protein kinases involved in these phosphorylations are responsible for many human diseases. For this reason, studies on protein phosphorylation and the development of screening methods to identify selective inhibitors of protein kinases have increased considerably in recent years. Building on work carried out on the early stages of cell division in sea urchin embryos and starfish oocytes, our efforts have focused on several families of protein kinases potentially relevant for the treatment of certain human diseases. Our basic research details the role of several protein kinases involved in cell proliferation mechanisms and neuronal functions as well as the mode of action and selectivity of inhibitors of these kinases. This work has led to the identification, optimization and characterization of several families of protein kinase inhibitors: olomoucine, roscovitin, purvalanol, paullures, indirubnes, hymenialdisin, meridianins, meriolins. Some of these compounds are in pre-clinical testing for neurodegenerative diseases, kidney disease or malaria. Others are in clinical trial phases for their anti-tumor properties such as roscovitin, currently being tested against lung cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, and breast cancer.   Website: http://www.sb-roscoff.fr/fr/phosphorylation-de-proteines-et-pathologies-humaines Affiliations: UPMC/CNRS Phosphorylation de protéines et pathologies humaines USR3151 Roscoff Contact: sandrine.ruchaud@upmc.fr

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