
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
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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
2013
Book Chapter
Coordinating Rho and Rac: the regulation of Rho GTPase signaling and cadherin junctions
Ratheesh, Aparna, Priya, Rashmi and Yap, Alpha S. (2013). Coordinating Rho and Rac: the regulation of Rho GTPase signaling and cadherin junctions. Progress in molecular biology and translational science: the molecular biology of cadherins. (pp. 49-68) edited by Frans Van Roy. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press (Elsevier). doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-394311-8.00003-0
2012
Journal Article
A WAVE2-Arp2/3 actin nucleator apparatus supports junctional tension at the epithelial zonula adherens
Verma, Suzie, Han, Siew Ping, Michael, Magdalene, Gomez, Guillermo, Yang, Zhe, Teasdale, Rohan D., Ratheesh, Aparna, Kovacs, Eva M., Ali, Radiya G. and Yap, Alpha S.K. (2012). A WAVE2-Arp2/3 actin nucleator apparatus supports junctional tension at the epithelial zonula adherens. Molecular Biology of The Cell, 23 (23), 4601-4610. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E12-08-0574
2012
Journal Article
A bigger picture: classical cadherins and the dynamic actin cytoskeleton
Ratheesh, Aparna and Yap, Alpha S. (2012). A bigger picture: classical cadherins and the dynamic actin cytoskeleton. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 13 (10), 673-679. doi: 10.1038/nrm3431
2012
Journal Article
The juxtamembrane domain of the E-cadherin cytoplasmic tail contributes to its interaction with Myosin VI
Mangold, Sabine, Norwood, Suzanne J., Yap, Alpha S and Collins, Brett M. (2012). The juxtamembrane domain of the E-cadherin cytoplasmic tail contributes to its interaction with Myosin VI. BioArchitecture, 2 (5), 185-188. doi: 10.4161/bioa.22082
2012
Journal Article
Centralspindlin and α-catenin regulate Rho signalling at the epithelial zonula adherens
Ratheesh, Aparna, Gomez, Guillermo A., Priya, Rashmi, Verma, Suzie, Kovacs, Eva M., Jiang, Kai, Brown, Nicholas H., Akhmanova, Anna, Stehbens, Samantha J. and Yap, Alpha S. (2012). Centralspindlin and α-catenin regulate Rho signalling at the epithelial zonula adherens. Nature Cell Biology, 14 (8), 818-828. doi: 10.1038/ncb2532
2012
Journal Article
Contact inhibition (of proliferation) redux
McClatchey, Andrea I. and Yap, Alpha S. K. (2012). Contact inhibition (of proliferation) redux. Current Opinion in Cell Biology, 423-424 (5), 685-694. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2012.06.009
2012
Book Chapter
The cytoskeleton and classical cadherin adhesions
Han, Siew Ping and Yap, Alpha S. (2012). The cytoskeleton and classical cadherin adhesions. Adherens junctions: From molecular mechanisms to tissue development and disease. (pp. 111-135) edited by Tony Harris. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-4186-7_6
2011
Journal Article
Productive tension: Force-sensing and homeostasis of cell-cell junctions
Gomez, Guillermo A., McLachlan, Robert W. and Yap, Alpha S. (2011). Productive tension: Force-sensing and homeostasis of cell-cell junctions. Trends in Cell Biology, 21 (9), 499-505. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2011.05.006
2011
Journal Article
N-WASP regulates the epithelial junctional actin cytoskeleton through a non-canonical post-nucleation pathway
Kovacs, Eva M., Verma, Suzie, Ali, Radiy G., Ratheesh, Aparna, Hamilton, Nicholas A., Akhmanova, Anna and Yap, Alpha S. (2011). N-WASP regulates the epithelial junctional actin cytoskeleton through a non-canonical post-nucleation pathway. Nature Cell Biology, 13 (8), 934-943. doi: 10.1038/ncb2290
2011
Journal Article
Multicomponent analysis of junctional movements regulated by myosin II isoforms at the epithelial zonula adherens
Smutny, Michael, Wu, Selwin K., Gomez, Guillermo A., Mangold, Sabine, Yap, Alpha S. and Hamilton, Nicholas A. (2011). Multicomponent analysis of junctional movements regulated by myosin II isoforms at the epithelial zonula adherens. PLoS One, 6 (7 Article # e22458) e22458, e22458. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022458
2011
Journal Article
Tuba and N-WASP function cooperatively to position the central lumen during epithelial cyst morphogenesis
Kovacs, Eva M., Verma, Suzie, Thomas, Steven G. and Yap, Alpha S. (2011). Tuba and N-WASP function cooperatively to position the central lumen during epithelial cyst morphogenesis. Cell Adhesion and Migration, 5 (4), 344-350. doi: 10.4161/cam.5.4.16717
2011
Journal Article
Tissue organization by cadherin adhesion molecules: Dynamic molecular and cellular mechanisms of morphogenetic regulation
Niessen, Carien M., Leckband, Deborah and Yap, Alpha S. (2011). Tissue organization by cadherin adhesion molecules: Dynamic molecular and cellular mechanisms of morphogenetic regulation. Physiological Reviews, 91 (2), 691-731. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00004.2010
2011
Journal Article
Hepatocyte growth factor acutely perturbs actin filament anchorage at the epithelial zonula adherens
Mangold, Sabine, Wu, Selwin K., Norwood, Suzanne J., Collins, Brett M., Hamilton, Nicholas A., Thorn, Peter and Yap, Alpha S. (2011). Hepatocyte growth factor acutely perturbs actin filament anchorage at the epithelial zonula adherens. Current Biology, 21 (6), 503-507. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.02.018
2011
Journal Article
Protein tyrosine phosphatase activity is necessary for E-cadherin-activated Src signaling
McLachlan, Robert W. and Yap, Alpha S. (2011). Protein tyrosine phosphatase activity is necessary for E-cadherin-activated Src signaling. Cytoskeleton, 68 (1), 32-43. doi: 10.1002/cm.20492
2010
Journal Article
The SNX-PX-BAR family in macropinocytosis: The regulation of macropinosome formation by SNX-PX-BAR proteins
Wang, Jth, Kerr, MC, Karunaratne, S, Jeanes, A, Yap, AS and Teasdale, RD (2010). The SNX-PX-BAR family in macropinocytosis: The regulation of macropinosome formation by SNX-PX-BAR proteins. PLoS One, 5 (10) e13763, e13763-1-e13763-13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013763
2010
Journal Article
Myosin II isoforms identify distinct functional modules that support integrity of the epithelial zonula adherens
Smutny, Michael, Cox, Hayley L., Leerberg, Joanne M., Kovacs, Eva M., Conti, Mary Anne, Ferguson, Charles, Hamilton, Nicholas A., Parton, Robert G., Adelstein, Robert S. and Yap, Alpha S. (2010). Myosin II isoforms identify distinct functional modules that support integrity of the epithelial zonula adherens. Nature Cell Biology, 12 (7), 696-702. doi: 10.1038/ncb2072
2010
Journal Article
Neighborly relations: cadherins and mechanotransduction
Smutny, Michael and Yap, Alpha S. (2010). Neighborly relations: cadherins and mechanotransduction. Journal of Cell Biology, 189 (7), 1075-1077. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201005151
2010
Journal Article
Doing cell biology in embryos: regulated membrane traffic and its implications for cadherin biology
Ratheesh, Aparna and Yap, Alpha S.K. (2010). Doing cell biology in embryos: regulated membrane traffic and its implications for cadherin biology. F1000 Biology Reports, 2 (Article number 30) 30, 1-4. doi: 10.3410/B2-30
2010
Journal Article
Morphogenesis in Kyoto: a confluence of cell and developmental biology
Zallen, Jennifer A. and Yap, Alpha S.K. (2010). Morphogenesis in Kyoto: a confluence of cell and developmental biology. Molecular Biology of The Cell, 21 (6), 845-847. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E09-12-1076
2009
Conference Publication
Cortactin: Coordinating adhesion and the actin cytoskeleton at cellular protrusions
Ren, Gang, Crampton, Matthew S. and Yap, Alpha S. (2009). Cortactin: Coordinating adhesion and the actin cytoskeleton at cellular protrusions. doi: 10.1002/cm.20380
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Alpha Yap is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Epithelial surveillance against cell aberration.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ellen Potoczky
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Doctor Philosophy
How inflammation predisposes to tumor retention by altering epithelial mechanics.
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Epithelial Mechanics of Apoptotic Cell Extrusion: A study of different aspects of cell extrusion and the epithelial response
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Modern Computational methods in cell and molecular biology
Principal Advisor
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Master Philosophy
Investigation of epithelial homeostasis on cancer risk
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julia Eckert
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Master Philosophy
Investigation of epithelial homeostasis on cancer risk
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julia Eckert
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Spatiotemporal Organisation of the Actomyosin Cortex
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Modern Computational methods in cell and molecular biology
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Mechanical and biological determinants of epithelial homeostasis.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
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Doctor Philosophy
Cytoskeleton crosstalk and epithelial homeostasis.
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of a molecular pathway controlling cell-cell adhesion in veins but not arteries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anne Lagendijk
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Doctor Philosophy
Quantitative live imaging of junctional neural tube formation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yanina Alvarez, Dr Mel White
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Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of a molecular pathway controlling cell-cell adhesion in veins but not arteries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anne Lagendijk
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Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of a molecular pathway controlling cell-cell adhesion in veins but not arteries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anne Lagendijk
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Doctor Philosophy
Revealing how the junctional neural tube forms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yanina Alvarez, Dr Mel White
Completed supervision
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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
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Death with integrity: Role of the desmosome-IF network in apoptotic extrusion and epithelial integrity
Principal Advisor
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2020
Master Philosophy
Oncogenic Cell Extrusion:Ras transformation and cell extrusion during Epithelial Homeostasis
Principal Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of Epithelial Cell Extrusion by Snail: A Pivotal Role for Contractility
Principal Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Rho Signalling at Cell-Cell Junctions during Epithelial Collective Migration
Principal Advisor
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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
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Caveolae/Caveolin-1: A regulator of monolayer tension and oncogenic cell extrusion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Cortactin Tyrosine Phosphorylation at E-cadherin Junctions: A Switch for Epithelium Formation through Regulation of RhoA
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Analysing the Mechanism and Regulation of Vinculin in Cadherin Adhesions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Biomechanics of Epithelial Interactions: From Multicellular Cohesion to Oncogenic Transformation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Characterizing the role of Myosin VI at E-cadherin cell-cell adhesions
Principal Advisor
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
PI3K signalling in the maintenance of epithelial cell structure: Analysis of E-cadherin-based adhesion and cell height
Principal Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Cadherin-Microtubule Cooperativity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Myosin VI in E-cadherin Adhesive Contact Biogenesis
Principal Advisor
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
CORTACTIN REGULATES ACTIN CYTOSKELETAL DYNAMICS AT E-CADHERIN ADHESIVE CONTACTS
Principal Advisor
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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
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
THE ROLE OF ENA/VASP PROTEINS IN CADHERIN-BASED ADHESION
Principal Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
THE ROLE OF P120-CTN IN REGULATING E-CADHERIN-MEDIATED ADHESION
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jennifer Stow
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
MEMBRANE MOVEMENTS OF E-CADHERIN
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jennifer Stow
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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
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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
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular and Functional Characterization of a Clathrin-Independent Endocytic pathway, the CLIC/GEEC pathway
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
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2012
Master Philosophy
Characterisation of Neogenin signalling pathways in polarised epithelial cells
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Helen Cooper
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Global analysis of transcriptional control driving zebrafish gastrulation
Associate Advisor
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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
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