Objective "Protein kinases represent key signal transduction components transferring signals to their effectors by phosphorylation. Among other important functions, MAPK-dependent signal transduction is principally required to control inflammation and metabolism in vertebrates. However, chronic MAPK signaling in response to environmental stress contributes to the development of metabolic and inflammatory diseases.While most studies investigated functions of p38α of the p38 MAPK family, we have recently identified first non-redundant in vivo functions for p38δ. We found that p38δ regulates glucose homeostasis by controlling insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells and more recently that p38δ is pivotal in regulation of neutrophil-mediated inflammation. At the molecular level, both functions are dependent on Protein Kinase D1 (PKD1) activity, the latter of which, we identified as a direct and negatively regulated target of p38δ. Overall, our recent work describes a new signaling axis that may be important in diabetes mellitus and inflammatory diseases, respectively.The future core activity of my laboratory is directed towards elucidation of particular roles of p38δ and PKD1 downstream targets in neutrophils and β cells. We also aim at finding common upstream signaling mechanisms that converge in p38δ-PKD1 signaling. Finally, we will explore newly discovered potential metabolic processes that are regulated by this signaling module. This biased research will be complemented by a more comprehensive proteomic screening approach in liver focusing on basic metabolic adaption in response to fasting and feeding. While, protein phosphorylation is widely explored in this context, we will globally screen for ubiquitination of proteins that recently emerged as a key event in cellular signaling.Our work will hopefully lead to the discovery of novel and important cellular and molecular mechanisms in metabolism and inflammation with relevant implications in related human disorders." Fields of science medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinflammatory diseasesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineendocrinologydiabetesmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologyhomeostasis Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-LS4 - ERC Starting Grant - Physiology, Pathophysiology and Endocrinology Call for proposal ERC-2011-StG_20101109 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Coordinator CENTRE EUROPEEN DE RECHERCHE EN BIOLOGIE ET MEDECINE Address Rue laurent fries 1 67404 Illkirch graffenstaden France See on map Region Grand Est Alsace Bas-Rhin Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator Romeo Ricci (Prof.) Administrative Contact Steve Brooks (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CENTRE EUROPEEN DE RECHERCHE EN BIOLOGIE ET MEDECINE France EU contribution € 1 499 360,00 Address Rue laurent fries 1 67404 Illkirch graffenstaden See on map Region Grand Est Alsace Bas-Rhin Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator Romeo Ricci (Prof.) Administrative Contact Steve Brooks (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
