Research focus 

Nuclear pores exclusively mediate all transport between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. These pores are composed of proteins called Nups, which play critical regulatory roles in nucleocytoplasmic transport. 

We are exploring the importance of Nups during development, utilizing Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. We are investigating functions of the dELYS and the Nup107-160 complex in organismal growth and development through biochemical and genetic interventions. Nup107 is critical for the metamorphic transition, and Nup43 regulates spermiogenesis. Nup133 can affect wing and muscle development.

Nups are known to be dysregulated in cancer. Overexpression of Nup88 is like a biomarker for cancer. Nup88 expression works along with Nup62 to induce pro-inflammatory, pro-growth, and anti-apoptotic pathways to cause cancer. Nup88 interaction with Nup214 also helps in mediating the cancerous consequences. Post-translational modification (PTM) also exerts regulatory control over Nup function. Further, how Nups function in the immune cells with highly variable nuclear size when activated is unknown. 

Biochemical and cell biological analyses of Nup88/ Nup214 in cancer and immune cell activation are being actively pursued. How these nuclear pore proteins help regulate cell division by mediating nucleo-cytoplasmic transport is a piece of puzzle that we are trying to put together.

SUMOylation of cytoskeletal proteins and their binders has been identified from different proteomic studies. Of particular interest to the lab is Actin binding proteins (ABPs) and their SUMOylation. The focus of the project is currently on ABPs Coronin, Cofilin, and Profilin SUMOylation.

We are developing an understanding of how SUMOylation ABPs contribute to the microfilament dynamics. More specifically, we wish to understand how the SUMOylation and consequently the microfilament dynamics contribute to diseases, including the neurodegenerative diseases like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). We deploy protein biochemistry and cell biological imaging-based analysis to develop the understanding.