MSc by Research: Non-canonical functions of SRSF protein kinase (SRPK) in pluripotent stem cells at University of Dundee on FindAPhD.com

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Dr Greg Findlay Applications accepted all year round Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Dundee United Kingdom Biochemistry Cell Biology Developmental Biology

School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee

About the Project

The overarching goal of our research is to identify and characterise the protein kinase signalling pathways that control stem cell pluripotency and differentiation and determine how protein kinase signalling is disrupted to cause human developmental disorders. 

Protein kinases function as reversible switches in signal transduction and as such are fundamental regulators of all cellular processes. A major role for protein kinases during human development is controlling differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into adult tissues, such as neurons, cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes. Furthermore, protein kinase signalling pathways are frequently dysregulated in human diseases and developmental disorders. Because protein kinase activity can be specifically and reversibly manipulated using chemical tools for therapeutics and tissue engineering, there is a pressing need to identify relevant protein kinase circuits in PSCs. However, beyond several notable examples, protein kinase pathways, regulatory mechanisms and molecular functions that control of pluripotent stem cell maintenance and differentiation remain poorly understood.  

Ser-Arg Rich Splicing Factor (SRSF) Protein Kinase (SRPK) has been known for many years to phosphorylate splicing factors to promote spliceosome assembly and mRNA splicing. However, we recently showed SRPK has acquired splicing independent functions during human development. SRPK phosphorylates the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF12/RLIM to pattern genetic programmes required for development, whilst SRPK-RNF12 pathway components are disrupted in a series of related human developmental disorders. These data suggest that SRPK plays a key role in PSC maintenance and development, and that dysregulated SRPK signalling may underpin human developmental disorders. 

The goal of this project is to investigate the regulation and function of novel SRPK substrates our lab has recently identified by state-of-the-art global phosphoprotemic profiling. The aim of the project is to explore mechanisms by which SRPK phosphorylation regulates substrates and define their functions in regulation of downstream biological processes in PSCs and differentiating neurons. Finally, they will determine whether and how the SRPK signalling pathway is disrupted in patients will neurodevelopmental disorders. This project offers a unique opportunity to illuminate new molecular mechanisms underpinning PSC regulation and their dysregulation in human disease. 

Please see our website for further details on the programme:

Life Sciences MSc by Research MSc by Research (Postgraduate) : Study : University of Dundee

Please note before submitting your application that you must list your top three project choices in the Research Proposal section of the application form.

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https://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/pgr/research-areas/life-sciences/

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· Course type: Research Postgraduate

· Keyword: Life

When you complete your form, you should include your top 3 project choices, 2 letters of reference, uploaded under "Other Information" > "Supporting documents" and a personal statement. Failure to do so will delay your application.

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References

Selected recent work from the lab can be found in the following references: 
Bustos, F., Segarra-Fas, A., Nardocci, G., Cassidy, A., Antico, O., Brandenburg, L., Macartney, T., Toth, R., Hastie, C.J., Gourlay, R., Vargese, J., Soares, R., Montecino, M. and Findlay, G.M. (2020) Functional diversification of SRSF protein kinase to control ubiquitin-dependent neurodevelopmental signalling. Dev Cell. 55(5):629-647 
Fernandez-Alonso, R., Bustos, F., Budzyk, M., Kumar, P., Helbig, A.O., Hukelmann, J., Lamond, A.I., Lanner, F., Zhou, H., Petsalaki, E. and Findlay, G.M. (2020) Phosphoproteomics Identifies a Bimodal EPHA2 Receptor Switch that Promotes Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation. Nat Commun. 11(1): 1357. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15173-4 
Bustos, F.*, Segarra-Fas, A.*, Chaugule, V.K., Brandenburg, L., Branigan, E., Toth, R., Macartney, T., Knebel, A., Hay, R.T., Walden, H. and Findlay, G.M. (2018) RNF12 X-linked intellectual disability mutations disrupt E3 ligase activity and neural differentiation. Cell Rep. 23(6): 1599-1611 

Where will I study?

University of Dundee

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