Our group is interested in how the actin cross-linking protein filamin regulates cell adhesion and differentiation.
Filamins are large proteins with diverse functions. They link actin filaments to networks, anchor plasma membrane receptors to the cytoskeleton, and have a scaffolding function in signaling. There are three filamin genes in the human genome. Filamin A and Filamin B are ubiquitously expressed, whereas Filamin C is muscle-specific. Null mutations in the Filamin A gene lead to a neuronal defect called periventricular heterotopia and patients carrying Filamin A point mutations frequently suffer from gut, bone and cardiovascular abnormalities. Mutations in the Filamin B gene lead to bone abnormalities.
We study Filamin functions using structural biology and Drosophila melanogaster model organism. We are particularly interested in the mechanical regulation of Filamin functions. To study that we have created mutations in Drosophila that change the mechanical properties of filamin. We study the early embryonic development and muscle development at pupal stages.
