M.D./Ph.D. student
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department of Cell & Developmental Biology
Email: ali.hanson@vanderbilt.edu
Norwalk, IA
B.A. Molecular Biology with Honors
Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 2003
Pastrana, D. V., Hanson, A. J., Knisely, J., Bu, G., and Fitzgerald, D. J. (2005). LRP 1 B functions as a receptor for Pseudomonas exotoxin. Biochim Biophys Acta 1741, 234-239.
Identification of novel deubiquitinases and/or E3 ligases involved in Wnt signal transduction
Our current understanding as to how a Wnt signal is transduced from the plasma membrane into the nucleus is limited, and many key regulators have not been identified (i.e. an E3 ligase for Axin). The goal of this project is to perform a targeted RNAi screen in Drosophila S2R+ cells to identify new deubiquitinases (DUBs) or E3 ligases involved in Wnt signal transduction. "Hits" identified in the initial screen will then be validated in a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays. Discovery of novel DUBs or E3 ligases involved in Wnt signal transduction will provide insight into the mechanisms by which this important pathway is regulated and may provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of Wnt-driven diseases.