Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Proteolysis by Dall-E in Kandinsky style

Proteolysis by Dall-E in Kandinsky style

The modular architecture of Cullin-RING E3 Ligases (CRLs).

(A) CRL1 ubiquitin ligase complexes are perhaps the best known examples and bind their substrates via an F-box containing subunit. D'Angiolella and his laboratory discovered functions of cyclin F (FBXO1), the founding member of the F-box family of Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases. (B) BTB-Kelch proteins assemble into CRL3 ubiquitin ligase complexes in which the BTB domain binds to Cullin3 and the Kelch domain forms the substrate recognition domain. (C) Some Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase subunits, such as Cereblon are bound by “molecular glue” drugs (e.g. lenalidomide) that enable the recruitment of neo-substrates (e.g. Ikaros) for ubiquitylation. Similarly, bifunctional small molecule PROTAC drugs can bind to the E3 ligase VHL to recruit neo-substrates (e.g. oncoproteins) for ubiquitylation and degradation .

Student project:
Investigating the role of E3 Ubiquitin ligases in the cancer responses to Ionising Radiation (IR)

The Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) is a crucial regulator of cell survival in normal conditions and after DNA damage. The function of UPS is dysregulated in cancer, thus providing a large repertoire of targets to exploit for better cancer treatment. While there are more than 1000 genes composing the UPS, the function and mechanisms of action of the majority of them are unknown. 

ISPR screens, biochemical assays and super resolution microscopy. There will be comprehensive training on methods to investigate the ubiquitin system including novel techniques and approaches for PROTACs generation. The laboratory offers the possibility to attend international courses (EMBO and others). Attendance to at least one international conference is guaranteed.

Vincenzo D'Angiolella

Professor of Molecular Oncology

Biography

Vincenzo D’Angiolella is Professor of Molecular Oncology at the Department of Oncology. He has a Medical Degree (MD) from the University of Naples “Federico II” and completed his PhD at the same University in the field of General Pathology. Following the completion of his studies, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the New York University School of Medicine in the USA in the laboratory of Professor Michele Pagano.

He has been awarded fellowships from AIRC (Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro) and AICF (American Italian Cancer Foundation) and was a Scholar of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society from 2008 to 2011.

Research Summary

Our group objective is to understand the role of the ubiquitin system in cancer cell survival and response to radiation treatment. Further investigation in this process will prove to be a powerful tool for the design and implementation of novel cancer treatments

GROUP MEMBERS

Varun Gopala Krishna, Postdoctoral Researcher
Reyna Sara Quintero-Barceinas, Postdoctoral Researcher
Hongbing Yang, Postdoctoral Researcher
Paul Smith, Postdoctoral Researcher
Yingying Ma, Postdoctoral Researcher
Xinhui Lan, DPhil Student
Katherine Ferris, DPhil Student
Irene Sechi, DPhil Student
Beatrice Salerno, DPhil Student
Eun Young Bae, Research Assistant
Verena Gautsch, Research Assistant

Vincenzo D'Angiolella's Group

The Lab in action !

The names of the people depicted are indicated in yellow, with titles in red. Special thanks to our coach Nic, not in the picture .

COLLABORATORS

Professor Benedikt Kessler, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford
Professor Alex Bullock, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Structural Genomic Consortium, Oxford
Professor Andrei Chabes, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Sweden
Professor Skirmantas Kriaucionis, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Ludwig Cancer Institute, Oxford
Professor Nisha Limaye, UCLouvain, Bruxelles, Belgium

E3 Ubiquitin Ligases as Molecular Machines and Platforms for Drug Development

Book Chapter on E3 ubiquitin ligases written by Katherine Ferris, Rafael M Ioris and Vincenzo D'Angiolella