RhoA signaling: the nanoscale mechanisms of mechanochemical regulation (2019-2023)
Abstract
Cell signaling involves the coordination of multi-molecular networks at the plasma membrane, the interface between the cell and its external environment. These are often thought to involve the assembly of multimolecular complexes through the action of protein scaffolds. This project will elucidate a new, complementary paradigm for signaling that is best upon the formation of dynamic, nanoscale molecular compartments at the membrane. We focus on how the contractile regulator, anillin, controls RhoA signaling by kinetic regulation. In particular, we test how nanoscale clustering of anillin by the dynamic actomyosin cytoskeleton modulates RhoA signaling for contractility and tissue homeostasis.
