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Projects

Eight funded projects

Biased incretin receptor signaling to improve metabolic efficacy

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Co-agonists at the receptors for glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide are in clinical trials for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Non-canonical CXCR7 signaling mechanisms in  in platelets 

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We aim to disclose the unknown molecular interacting partners in the non-canonical signaling cascade, by which physiological and pharmacological CXCR7 agonists increase cGMP production, and consequently stabilize cAMP levels in platelets and endothelial cells. In later stages of the project, we will analyze the role of CXCR7 in affecting cGMP and cAMP levels and thrombo-inflammation in vivo and validate the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological CXCR7 agonists in venous thrombosis, which is primarily governed by vascular and thrombo-inflammatory complications. Thus, the planned investigations will uncover the role and therapeutic potential of non-canonical CXCR7 signaling in vascular pathophysiology.

Dissecting non-canonical from canonical Gαi-dependent pathways in ischemia- reperfusion injury

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Cardiovascular diseases and stroke belong to the leading causes of death worldwide. After ischemia, the subsequent reperfusion process promotes a local inflammation mediated by infiltrating neutrophils and ROS, exacerbating tissue damage and leading to reperfusion injury. G protein signal transduction modulates cell recruitment into inflammatory tissue, however Gi-driven canonical vs. non-canonical contribution is still elusive.. 

Mode of action of the Gαi/ Gpsm2 and the RGS4 / neurabin complex in cochlear hair cells

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During the development of the inner ear, Gai3 and its non-canonical regulator Gpsm2 play an essential role for orienting sensory hair cells. In addition, in the mature organ of Corti, Gai3 signalling is involved in protective mechanisms during noise trauma.

Role for Girdin and Daple in melanoma progression and therapy resistance

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Proposed role of Girdin and Daple in melanoma progression and therapy resistance and crosstalk with other activated signaling pathways in melanoma. Numbered circles depict the objectives in the work program. 

Non-canonical control of Gαi3 by Girdin and Gpsm1 in autophagy

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Autophagy represents an essential cellular survival mechanism that eliminates cellular components through lysosome-mediated degradation to maintain cellular and organismic homeostasis.

Role of nucleoside diphosphate kinases in primary tumors and metastases of renal cell carcinoma

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Members of the non-mitochondrial nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) class I isoforms lead to the non-canonical activation of G proteins that serve as proto-oncogenes in renal cell carcinoma.

Modulation of heterotrimeric G protein activity by nucleoside diphosphate kinase

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Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDPKs) form complexes with heterotrimeric G proteins and provide GTP for the activation of these signal transducers. Thus, their function as activator of G protein signaling (AGS) is investigated in this project.

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