B.S., University of Buea, Cameroon
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Carol Williams Email: entantie@mcw.edu Phone: (414) 456-5631
Research Interest
Prenylation of small monomeric G-proteins is important for their subcellular localization and subsequent activation of down-stream effector proteins. Mislocalization of small GTPases has been reported in several cancer types and cardiovascular diseases. The Rap1 proteins are a member of the Ras-subfamily of small monomeric G-proteins that have been implicated in cancer. Our lab has recently shown that SmgGDS isoforms 558 and 607 bind small G-proteins and regulate their passage through the prenylation pathway. My project aims at identifying some of the signals that regulate the interaction of Rap1 with SmgGDS and understanding the mechanism of Rap1 protein prenylation. Clinical inhibitors of the prenylation pathway have not been very useful in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Understanding the mechanisms/signals that regulate the prenylation of small G-proteins is critical in drug design.