Objective Wnts are secreted signaling proteins that control multiple developmental processes and have been implicated in several human cancers. All Wnt proteins, including Wingless, a Drosophila member of the Wnt family, associate with cell membranes. This membrane-association is a result of posttranslational acylation and strong affinity for heparin sulfate proteoglycans. Despite its association with cell membranes, Wingless acts over several cell diameters in a number of developmental contexts. It has been suggested that transport is achieved by liprotein particles but functional evidence is incomplete and nothing is known on how Wg is packaged into such particles. During my postdoctoral research I will study the secretion and release of Wingless by expressing cells. Specifically, I will define the pathway of Wingless secretion and its site of export from the cell. Second, I will identify novel proteins required for the secretion and release of functional Wingless protein. This will could uncover specialized secretory pathway and will provide a framework to understand how Wingless functions with tissues. Understanding the pathways that regulate short and long range signaling by Wnts is likely to have an impact both in basic sciences (e.g. about the cell biology of lipid modified secreted proteins) and in medicine (providing potential targets for drug that would modulate this important signaling pathway). Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesbiological sciencescell biologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipidsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncology Keywords Animal embryology Cytology Molecular genetics Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) PEOPLE-2007-4-3.IRG - Marie Curie Action: "International Reintegration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IRG - International Re-integration Grants (IRG) Coordinator MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL EU contribution € 100 000,00 Address 20 Park Crescent W1B 1AL LONDON United Kingdom See on map Activity type Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Jean-Paul Vincent (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
