
Overview
Background
My group studies the role of cadherin cell adhesion molecules in morphogenesis and tumor development. E-cadherin is a key mediator of cell-cell recognition. It participates in tissue patterning and its dysfunction contributes to tumor progression and invasion.
Associate Professor Yap is the group leader for Cadherin cell adhesion molecules, Epithelial morphogenesis & Cell locomotion research at the IMB.
Availability
- Professor Alpha Yap is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medical Science, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor (Honours) of Medicine Surgery, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Research interests
-
Cadherin cell adhesion molecules, Epithelial morphogenesis & Cell locomotion
We seek to understand the cellular basis of cadherin recognition, and how this controls cell movement and organisation. We are studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which cadherin cell adhesion molecules mediate cell-cell recognition. Our current work builds on two recent discoveries made by my lab. Firstly, we found that E-cadherin, the principal cadherin molecule found in epithelial tissues, functions as an adhesion-activated cell signaling receptor. In particular, upon adhesion E-cadherin activates signaling via the small GTPase, Rac, and the lipid kinase PI3-kinase. Finally, an important potential target of this signaling receptor is the Arp2/3 protein complex, a protein machine that nucleates assembly of actin filaments. We were the first to discover that E-cadherin interacts with the Arp2/3 complex to mark sites for actin assembly within cells. We are now exploring the general hypothesis that cadherin-activated signaling controls the subcellular localization and activity of Arp2/3 to modulate cell shape changes and motility in response to productive cell-cell recognition.
Works
Search Professor Alpha Yap’s works on UQ eSpace
2003
Journal Article
Minimal mutation of the cytoplasmic tail inhibits the ability of E-cadherin to activate Rac but not phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase - Direct evidence of a role for cadherin-activated Rac signaling in adhesion and contact formation
Goodwin, M., Kovacs, E. M., Thoreson, M. A., Reynolds, A. B. and Yap, A. S. (2003). Minimal mutation of the cytoplasmic tail inhibits the ability of E-cadherin to activate Rac but not phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase - Direct evidence of a role for cadherin-activated Rac signaling in adhesion and contact formation. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 278 (23), 20533-20539. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M213171200
2002
Conference Publication
Cortactin: A key mediator of cadherin-directed actin assembly
Kovacs, EM, Helwani, FM, Weed, SA and Yap, AS (2002). Cortactin: A key mediator of cadherin-directed actin assembly. 42nd Annual Meeting of the American-Society-for-Cell-Biology, San Francisco California, Dec 14-18, 2002. BETHESDA: AMER SOC CELL BIOLOGY.
2002
Journal Article
Cadherin-directed actin assembly: E-cadherin physically associates with the Arp2/3 complex to direct actin assembly in nascent adhesive contacts
Kovacs, Eva M., Goodwin, Marita K., Ali, Radiya G., Paterson, Andrew D. and Yap, Alpha S. (2002). Cadherin-directed actin assembly: E-cadherin physically associates with the Arp2/3 complex to direct actin assembly in nascent adhesive contacts. Current Biology, 12 (5), 379-382. doi: 10.1016/S0960-9822(02)00661-9
2002
Journal Article
Dynamin-dependent endocytosis is necessary for convergent-extension movements in Xenopus animal cap explants
Jarrett, O., Stow, J. L., Yap, A. S. and Key, B. (2002). Dynamin-dependent endocytosis is necessary for convergent-extension movements in Xenopus animal cap explants. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 46 (4), 467-473.
2002
Journal Article
E-cadherin homophilic ligation directly signals through Rac and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase to regulate adhesive contacts
Kovacs, Eva M., Ali, Radiya G., McCormack, Ailsa J. and Yap, Alpha S. (2002). E-cadherin homophilic ligation directly signals through Rac and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase to regulate adhesive contacts. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277 (8), 6708-6718. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109640200
2002
Journal Article
Protein kinase C regulates endocytosis and recycling of E-cadherin
Le, T. L., Joseph, S. R., Yap, A. S. and Stow, J. L. (2002). Protein kinase C regulates endocytosis and recycling of E-cadherin. American Journal of Physiology-cell Physiology, 283 (2), C489-C499. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00566.2001
2002
Journal Article
The Web and the Rock: Cell adhesion and the ARP2/3 Complex
Kovacs, E. M. and Yap, A.S.K. (2002). The Web and the Rock: Cell adhesion and the ARP2/3 Complex. Developmental Cell, 3 (6), 760-760. doi: 10.1016/S1534-5807(02)00374-X
2002
Conference Publication
A role for BRCA1 in mammary epithelial morphogenesis, differentiation and adhesion
Manning, N. W., Simpson, K. J., Karunaratne, S. M., Yap, A. S. K., Visvader, J. E., Lindeman, G. J. and Brown, M. A. (2002). A role for BRCA1 in mammary epithelial morphogenesis, differentiation and adhesion. Australian Health & Medical Research Conference, Melbourne, Australia, November, 2002.
2001
Conference Publication
A role for cholesterol-dependent membrane microdomains in E-cadherin adhesion
McCormack, AJ, Pol, A, Parton, RG and Yap, AS (2001). A role for cholesterol-dependent membrane microdomains in E-cadherin adhesion. BETHESDA: AMER SOC CELL BIOLOGY.
2001
Conference Publication
E-cadherin activates PI3-kinase and Rac1 signaling to mediate adhesive contact formation
Ali, RG, Kovacs, EM and Yap, AS (2001). E-cadherin activates PI3-kinase and Rac1 signaling to mediate adhesive contact formation. BETHESDA: AMER SOC CELL BIOLOGY.
2001
Conference Publication
p120 binding to E-cadherin influences cadherin directed actin assembly
Goodwin, MK, Reynolds, AB and Yap, AS (2001). p120 binding to E-cadherin influences cadherin directed actin assembly. BETHESDA: AMER SOC CELL BIOLOGY.
2001
Conference Publication
E-cadherin signaling to the actin assembly machinery is necessary for dynamic adhesive recognition
Yap, AS, Ali, R, Goodwin, M, McCormack, A, Paterson, A, Scott, J and Kovacs, EM (2001). E-cadherin signaling to the actin assembly machinery is necessary for dynamic adhesive recognition. BETHESDA: AMER SOC CELL BIOLOGY.
2001
Journal Article
A dileucine motif targets E-cadherin to the basolateral cell surface in Madin-Darby canine kidney and LLC-PK1 epithelial cells
Miranda, Kevin C., Khromykh, Tatiana, Christy, Perpetina, Le, Tam Luan, Gottardi, Cara J., Yap, Alpha S., Stow, Jennifer L. and Teasdale, Rohan D. (2001). A dileucine motif targets E-cadherin to the basolateral cell surface in Madin-Darby canine kidney and LLC-PK1 epithelial cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 276 (25), 22565-22572. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M101907200
2001
Journal Article
Initiation of cell locomotility is a morphogenetic checkpoint in thyroid epithelial cells regulated by ERK and PI3-kinase signals
Yap, A. S. (2001). Initiation of cell locomotility is a morphogenetic checkpoint in thyroid epithelial cells regulated by ERK and PI3-kinase signals. Cell Motility And The Cytoskeleton, 49 (2), 93-103. doi: 10.1002/cm.1023
2001
Journal Article
Microtubule integrity is essential for apical polarization and epithelial morphogenesis in the thyroid
Yap, A. S. and Manley, S. W. (2001). Microtubule integrity is essential for apical polarization and epithelial morphogenesis in the thyroid. Cell Motility And The Cytoskeleton, 48 (3), 201-212. doi: 10.1002/1097-0169(200103)48:33.3.CO;2-3
2001
Conference Publication
E-cadherin is internalized via a dynamin-dependent pathway and is trafficked to sorting endosomes
Paterson, A. D., Stow, J. L. and Yap, A. S. (2001). E-cadherin is internalized via a dynamin-dependent pathway and is trafficked to sorting endosomes. -, -, -. Bethesda, MD 20814 United States: American Society for Cell Biology.
2000
Conference Publication
Regulation of E-cadherin endocytosis by protein kinase C.
Stow, J. L., Le, T. L. C. and Yap, A. S. K. (2000). Regulation of E-cadherin endocytosis by protein kinase C.. 40th Anniversary Meeting, American Society for Cell Biology, Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, California, 9-13 December 2000. Bethesda, MD: American Society for Cell Biology.
2000
Conference Publication
Characterization and regulation of cadherin-dependent cell spreading
Yap, A. S. K., Ali, R. G. and Kovacs, E. M. (2000). Characterization and regulation of cadherin-dependent cell spreading. American Society for Cell Biology, San Francisco, USA, 9 - 13 Dec, 2000. Bethesda, USA: The American Society for Cell Biology.
1999
Journal Article
Recycling of E-Cadherin: a potential mechanism for regulating cadherin dynamics
Le, T. L., Yap, A. S. and Stow, J. L. (1999). Recycling of E-Cadherin: a potential mechanism for regulating cadherin dynamics. The Journal of Cell Biology, 146 (1), 219-232. doi: 10.1083/jcb.146.1.219
1999
Conference Publication
Recycling of the Epithelial adhesion protein, E-Cadherin
Le, C., Yap, A. S. K. and Stow, J. L. (1999). Recycling of the Epithelial adhesion protein, E-Cadherin. ComBio 99, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 27-30 September 1999. Kent Town, SA Australia: Australian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Alpha Yap is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
How tissue hypertension in epithelia promotes cancer
Epithelial tissues are the principal barriers in our body and the source of common diseases, notably cancer and inflammation. The surprising thing is that despite the fact that they are subject to constant bombardment by toxins, infection and transformation, epithelia stay healthy most of the time – and keep us healthy. This is because epithelia possess mechanisms to maintain homeostasis: to detect potential insults and respond appropriately. We believe that a major early-warning system involves changes in mechanical tension upon injury or transformation: these are detected by the neighbouring epithelium, which responds by eliminating the affected cells. These changes in mechanical force are transmitted through cell-cell junctions and detected at those junctions by mechanotransduction. Conversely, events that compromise junctional mechanotransduction can render epithelia vulnerable to disease.
This project builds on our recent discovery that mechanical tension in an epithelium prevents it from eliminating newly-developed cancers. We aim to elucidate how this tissue hypertension prevents cancer elimination and how it may promote growth of those retained cancer cells.To do this, we combine cell biology with organoid and animal models, collaborating with developmental biologists, cancer biologists, mathematicians, engineers and physicists.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cytoskeleton crosstalk and epithelial homeostasis.
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Epithelial surveillance against cell aberration.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ellen Potoczky
-
Doctor Philosophy
How inflammation predisposes to tumor retention by altering epithelial mechanics.
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Epithelial Mechanics of Apoptotic Cell Extrusion: A study of different aspects of cell extrusion and the epithelial response
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Modern Computational methods in cell and molecular biology
Principal Advisor
-
Master Philosophy
Investigation of epithelial homeostasis on cancer risk
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julia Eckert
-
Master Philosophy
Investigation of epithelial homeostasis on cancer risk
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julia Eckert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Spatiotemporal Organisation of the Actomyosin Cortex
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Modern Computational methods in cell and molecular biology
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Mechanical and biological determinants of epithelial homeostasis.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of a molecular pathway controlling cell-cell adhesion in veins but not arteries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anne Lagendijk
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of a molecular pathway controlling cell-cell adhesion in veins but not arteries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anne Lagendijk
-
Doctor Philosophy
Revealing how the junctional neural tube forms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yanina Alvarez, Dr Mel White
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of a molecular pathway controlling cell-cell adhesion in veins but not arteries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anne Lagendijk
-
Doctor Philosophy
Quantitative live imaging of junctional neural tube formation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yanina Alvarez, Dr Mel White
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Caveolae Respond to Acute Mechanical Stress by Activating a Novel Signalling Pathway for Reinforcement of Actomyosin
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Death with integrity: Role of the desmosome-IF network in apoptotic extrusion and epithelial integrity
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Master Philosophy
Oncogenic Cell Extrusion:Ras transformation and cell extrusion during Epithelial Homeostasis
Principal Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of Epithelial Cell Extrusion by Snail: A Pivotal Role for Contractility
Principal Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Rho Signalling at Cell-Cell Junctions during Epithelial Collective Migration
Principal Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Elimination of apoptotic epithelial cells: Regulation of apoptotic extrusion and immune responses to epithelial apoptosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anne Lagendijk
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Caveolae/Caveolin-1: A regulator of monolayer tension and oncogenic cell extrusion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Cortactin Tyrosine Phosphorylation at E-cadherin Junctions: A Switch for Epithelium Formation through Regulation of RhoA
Principal Advisor
-
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Analysing the Mechanism and Regulation of Vinculin in Cadherin Adhesions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Biomechanics of Epithelial Interactions: From Multicellular Cohesion to Oncogenic Transformation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Characterizing the role of Myosin VI at E-cadherin cell-cell adhesions
Principal Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
PI3K signalling in the maintenance of epithelial cell structure: Analysis of E-cadherin-based adhesion and cell height
Principal Advisor
-
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
Cadherin-Microtubule Cooperativity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Myosin VI in E-cadherin Adhesive Contact Biogenesis
Principal Advisor
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
CORTACTIN REGULATES ACTIN CYTOSKELETAL DYNAMICS AT E-CADHERIN ADHESIVE CONTACTS
Principal Advisor
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
CO-OPERATION BETWEEN E-CADHERIN, PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL-3-KINASE, RAC AND THE WASP FAMILY PROTEIN, WAVE, IS NECESSARY FOR PRODUCTIVE CADHERIN-DEPENDENT CONTACT FORMATION.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
THE ROLE OF ENA/VASP PROTEINS IN CADHERIN-BASED ADHESION
Principal Advisor
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
THE ROLE OF P120-CTN IN REGULATING E-CADHERIN-MEDIATED ADHESION
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jennifer Stow
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
MEMBRANE MOVEMENTS OF E-CADHERIN
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jennifer Stow
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
A study of mathematical models for collective cell migration and axonal transport
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zoltan Neufeld, Dr Dietmar Oelz
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
The Biology of Choanocytes and Choanocyte Chambers and their Role in the Sponge Stem Cell System
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular and Functional Characterization of a Clathrin-Independent Endocytic pathway, the CLIC/GEEC pathway
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
-
2012
Master Philosophy
Characterisation of Neogenin signalling pathways in polarised epithelial cells
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Helen Cooper
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Global analysis of transcriptional control driving zebrafish gastrulation
Associate Advisor
-
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
STRUCTURAL DETERMINANTS OF THE EXPRESSION, ASSEMBLY AND FUNCTION OF MONOAMINE NEUROTRANSMITTER TRANSPORTERS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lesley Lluka
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Alpha Yap directly for media enquiries about:
- bowel cancer
- breast cancer
- Cadherin adhesion in cell interaction
- cancer
- Cell biology
- inflammation
- Metastases
- molecular medicine
- Tumour development
- Tumours
- wound healing
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: