SET-ting the scene with SMYD enzymes in cancer

• We showed that the SMYD3 methyltransferase is involved in tumor cell metastasis (e.g. via MMP9 regulation)
• We discovered that SMYD3 is important in cell fate and muscle differentiation
• We found that SMYD3 responds to mechanical signals initiated by changes in cell geometry

Our research aims to identify new substrates through proteomic approaches, coupled with functional validation, to understand the critical role of methylation in differentiation. We use an integrated approach with transcriptomics, biochemistry and functional experimental validation to understand the critical role of lysine methylation in cell fate. We recently discovered novel non-histone targets of the SMYD2 and SMYD3 enzymes with critical roles in cancer cell division. Part of our research will be dedicated to the development of applied tools (for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes).

Our experimental approaches:

We use comparative proteomic approaches combined with experimental cell biology and functional live-cell imaging, together with biochemical approaches to study the role of lysine methylation at the molecular and cellular levels. We use human cancer cell models and parasite-infected cells to study how methylation impacts cancer cell phenotypes.