Cancer cells are dynamic in their ability to change shape to facilitate cancer spread. This plasticity is a major challenge in the development of novel cancer therapies. Cell shape and proliferation are regulated by crosstalk from multiple distinct cues including contact with surrounding extracellular proteins, the cell cytoskeleton and complex signalling networks that guide cell behaviour and become mutated in cancer. Cancer cell interaction with the surrounding matrix, through adhesion receptors and adhesion-linked scaffolding proteins, is a key regulator of cell proliferation and migration, and is a promising target for treatment of this deadly disease. In CoreHub, I will investigate a recently identified scaffold protein SHANK3 and its biological role in coordinating distinct signalling networks in human cancer. The goal is to generate a road map of SHANK3-regulated signalling networks and their clinical relevance in cancer opening new targets for therapeutic interventions.

2021

2024