Molecular mechanisms controlling assembly and activation of growth factor and neurotrophic factor signalling pathways
Research in my laboratory explores molecular mechanisms that control the assembly and activation of growth factor and neurotrophic factor complexes and their associated signalling pathways. My current group interests are focused on two main areas: (1) defining the molecular basis for trophic support, cell proliferation and adhesion driven by RET receptor tyrosine kinase activation and oncogenic deregulation (2) uncovering regulatory mechanisms controlling Rho GTPase-dependent pathways including effector serine/threonine kinases
Selected publications
RET recognition of GDNF-GFRalpha1 ligand by a composite binding site promotes membrane-proximal self-association
Goodman, K.M., Kjaer, S., Beuron, F., Knowles, P.P., Nawrotek, A., Burns, E.M., Purkiss, A.G., George, R., Santoro, M., Morris, E.P., et al
Cell Reports (2014) 8 (6):1894-1904
aPKC Inhibition by Par3 CR3 Flanking Regions Controls Substrate Access and Underpins Apical-Junctional Polarization
Soriano, E.V., Ivanova, M.E., Fletcher, G., Riou, P., Knowles, P.P., Barnouin, K., Purkiss, A., Kostelecky, B., Saiu, P., Linch, M., Elbediwy, A., Kjær, S., O'Reilly, N., Snijders, A.P., Parker, P.J., Thompson, B.J., McDonald, N.Q.
Developmental Cell (2016) 38 (4):384-98
Structures of the Phactr1 RPEL domain and RPEL motif complexes with G-actin reveal the molecular basis for actin binding cooperativity
Mouilleron, S., Wiezlak, M., O'Reilly, N., Treisman, R., and McDonald, N.Q.
Structure (2012) 20 (11):1960-1970