SET-ting the scene with SMYD enzymes in cancer
Microscopy image
This image shows cell under division where daugther cells are linked by a cytokinetic bridge.
In purple : Tubulin
In green : CHMP2B
© Aurélie Richard
The methylation of lysine residues is a key post-translational modification (PTM) which has been studied primarily in the context of histone methylation and epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Beyond this well-established role, lysine methylation is now emerging as a regulator of non-histone protein-protein interactions and protein function. Our laboratory investigates the role of lysine methyltransferase enzymes (particularly SMYD family members) and how lysine methylation contributes to deregulated cellular processes and to the development of 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.
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Summer School on Artificial Intelligence in Biology and Genetics
Souhila Medjkane is organizing the Summer School "How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Biology and Genetics" on July 9-11, 2024. Université Paris Cité, Grands Moulins campus © Université Paris Cité The workshop will take place in Fontainebleau on July...
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Welcome to Emmanuelle !
Today, we welcome a new member to the team: Emmanuelle, a PhD student funded by the Ligue contre le Cancer.Emmanuelle will be working with Souhila to develop clinically applied tools based on our discovery of how methylation regulates cell division.Read more
Congratulations Dr. Aurélie Richard
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