Cookie Settings

We use cookies to optimize our website. These include cookies that are necessary for the operation of the site, as well as those that are only used for anonymous statistic. You can decide for yourself which categories you want to allow. Further information can be found in our data privacy protection .

Essential

These cookies are necessary to run the core functionalities of this website and cannot be disabled.

Name Webedition CMS
Purpose This cookie is required by the CMS (Content Management System) Webedition for the system to function correctly. Typically, this cookie is deleted when the browser is closed.
Name econda
Purpose Session cookie emos_jcsid for the web analysis software econda. This runs in the “anonymized measurement” mode. There is no personal reference. As soon as the user leaves the site, tracking is ended and all data in the browser are automatically deleted.
Statistics

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and analyzing information anonymously. Depending on the tool, one or more cookies are set by the provider.

Name econda
Purpose Statistics
External media

Content from external media platforms is blocked by default. If cookies from external media are accepted, access to this content no longer requires manual consent.

Name YouTube
Purpose Show YouTube content
Name Twitter
Purpose activate Twitter Feeds

Research

Overview

© dkfz.de

How cells communicate with their environment via cell-cell interactions and by growth factors is a key question in the molecular life sciences, including tumor biology. Among them, Wnt signaling plays an important role in embryonic development and cancer. Our work on Wnt signaling investigates the biochemical mechanism and physiological role of signal transduction by Wnt glycoproteins in mediating cell growth and differentiation, processes essential for embryonic development and cancer progression. We also study R-spondins, a family of secreted proteins that play a critical role in the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway, which is involved in various developmental processes and in cancer. Additionally, our research explores the interactions between DEAD box RNA helicases (DDX proteins) and protein kinases, revealing their potential to stimulate kinase activity, which has broad implications in RNA biology and signal transduction. Furthermore, we have introduced ROTACs, bispecific WNT- and BMP-signaling-disabled R-spondin chimeras, which leverage the specificity of these stem cell growth factors for targeted protein degradation, offering new insights and therapeutic approaches for cancer. Our comprehensive research efforts enhance the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cell differentiation, tissue homeostasis, and tumorigenesis.

We currently pursue four main lines of research. (1) We described that all cilia classes (flagella, primary cilia, multi-cilia) are Wnt-signaling organelles and we currently investigate the physiological importance of this signaling in mouse physiology. (2) We showed that DEAD box RNA helicases (DDX proteins) are a new class of regulators of protein kinases. We investigate the mechanism of action, notably in protein condensates during Wnt signaling and the biological role of the DDX-kinase interactions. (3) We study the role and biochemical mechanism of action of R-spondins, a class of Wnt agonist that play an important role in development as well as oncogenes and tumor suppressors. (4) We develop ROTACs as a novel class of protein targeting chimeras in cancer therapy.

We are part of – and funded by the CRC 1324: Mechanisms and functions of Wnt signaling 

to top
powered by webEdition CMS