Cellular Signalling and Proteomics

Under the supervision of

Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal
Canada Research Chair in Signal Transduction and Proteomics

A variety of cellular agonists and their receptors utilize the Ras/ERK signalling cascade to control essential biological processes, including cell cycle progression, cell differentiation and survival. Proper regulation of this signalling pathway is crucial as activating/inactivating mutations within this cascade lead to various genetic disorders and diseases, including many types of cancer. Downstream of the Ras/ERK signalling cascade lies the RSK family of serine/threonine kinases. These enzymes are important effectors of the Ras/ERK signalling cascade and have been suggested to play roles in cancer.

Our goal is to understand the regulation of RSK activity by oncogenes and mitogens, and to elucidate the biological significance of these proteins with regards to cellular growth control. Our experimental approaches include a combination of mouse genetics, molecular and cellular biological methods. Our interest in cellular processes regulated by phosphorylation events also involves the use of cutting-edge proteomics technologies. As RSK could be an attractive molecular target for cancer therapies, a better understanding of these protein kinases will be required to determine whether they are critical Ras/ERK signalling components.

T + 514 343.6111 ext. 1.0308
F + 514 343.6843
philippe.roux@umontreal.ca

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