Motor proteins in platelet and RBC biology
Non-muscle myosin II (NMII) is the crucial motor proteins that drive mitotic division and regulate the transition from mitosis to endomitosis in megakaryocytes. This process is a crucial determinant of the size of the megakaryocytes and consequently the number of platelets that are extruded by each megakaryocyte. We study the regulation of NMII motor proteins in the context of platelet and RBC biology. READ MORE
Thrombopoietin receptor dynamics in health and disease
Thrombopoietin receptor (TpoR) drives the development of megakaryocyte lineage. TpoR is also important for the maintenance of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Platelet surface TpoR also maintains homeostasis by regulating the serum thrombopoietin levels. Thus, the dynamics of TpoR cell surface expression, internalization and redirection of internalized TpoR to the cell surface have to be regulated. READ MORE
Mutant calreticulin driven myeloproliferative neoplasm
Calreticulin (CALR) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone protein that regulates calcium homeostasis in the cell. Frameshift mutations in CALR drive myeloproliferative neoplasm presenting with increased platelets and marrow fibrosis. Research has identified TpoR as the primary means of mutant CALR mediated myeloproliferation. However, the complete effects of the frame shift mutation are yet to be unraveled. READ MORE
B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and IKAROS
IKAROS is a crucial B cell specifying transcription factor. Deletion, mutations of Ikzf1 that creates the dominant negative mutant IK6 induces stemness and increased matrix adhesion properties that are crucial for B cell transformation. We analyze the transcription factor netwrok dysregulated by loss of IKZF1. READ MORE