Our research focusses on how cells regulate the synthesis of phosphoinositides and the redistribution of lipids between membrane compartments using lipid transfer proteins.
Phosphoinositides in cell signalling and membrane traffic
Phosphoinositides, in particular, phosphatidylinositol (4,5)bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) is a source of second messengers. Hydrolysis of PIP2 results in the production of diacylglycerol (DAG) that activates protein kinase C, and inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate (IP3) that releases Ca2+ from intracellular stores. PI(4,5)P2 can also be phosphorylated to phosphatidylinositol(3,4,5)trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3), another important second messenger. In addition to its substrate function, PI(4,5)P2, should be considered as a second messenger in its own right due to its ability to regulate exocytosis, membrane traffic and actin dynamics. PI(4,5)P2, together with other phosphoinositides are synthesised from phosphatidylinositol.
Understanding how cells regulate the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol at the endoplasmic reticulum and its distribution to the plasma membrane for signalling purposes is the main focus of my work.
Molecular and Cell Biology of Phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins
Phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins (PITPs) are lipid binding proteins that allow for compartmentalized phosphoinositide signalling in cells. PITPα, a 35 kDa soluble protein, was first identified by its ability to mediate the transfer of PI or PC between membrane compartments. A second highly related phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PITP β) has also been described. PITPα and PITPβ are the focus of our studies.
These proteins are found in all mammalian cells and play essential roles in phosphoinositide-dependent signalling pathways. We are currently examining the molecular basis for PITP function using biochemical, molecular and cell biological techniques.
PI(4,5)P2 consumption by phospholipase C and its resynthesis: A requirement for lipid transfer from the endoplasmic reticulum by PITPs.
Shamshad Cockcroft
Professor Shamshad Cockcroft is a professor of cell physiology. Cockcroft earned a degree in Biological Chemistry at the University of Manchester in 1974 and completed her PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Birmingham in 1977. During her PhD she was introduced to the subject of inositol lipids as a potential source of second messengers by Bob Michell. She joined UCL to work with Bastien Gomperts in 1977 to work on mast cell signalling using inositol lipids.
Cockcroft's research and work investigates intracellular lipid traffic and lipids in cell signalling and membrane traffic. Cockcroft was awarded a fellowship from the Lister Institute in 1986 and established the Lipid Signalling Group at UCL. She is currently the executive Editor of BBA Cell and Molecular Biology of lipids.
Find out more about Shamshad Cockcroft
Selected Publications
Publications Feed
Contact
UCL Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology
Rockefeller Building,
4th floor, Room 421,
21 University Street,
London WC1E 6JJ
Prof Shamshad Cockcroft
Professor Shamshad Cockcroft is a professor of cell physiology at UCL.
Find out more about Shamshad Cockcroft
Courier Service for phosphatidylinositol: PITPs deliver on demand
Former Lab Members
Tim G. Ashlin
Nicholas J. Blunsom
Kathryn Garner
Evelyn Gomez-Epinosa
Roberta Dale
Michelle Li
Nicolas Carvou, Phd
Roman Holic, Phd
Yuhki Yanase, Phd
Clive P. Morgan, Phd
Sadaf Shadan, Phd
Amanda Fensome-Green, Phd
Victoria Allen-Baume, Phd
Alison Skippen, Phd
Shoji Mihara, Phd
Claudia Wiedemann, Phd
Bruno Segui, Phd
David Jones
Naimh O’Luanaigh
Elisabeth Sarri
Raul Pardo
Phillip Swigart
Jaqueline Whatmore
Andy Ball
Emer Cunningham
Blandine Geny
Collaborators
Raghu Padinjat
Matilda Katan
Paras K Anand
Peter Griac
Charles S Abrams
Jason Rihel
Tim P Levine
Christiaan van Ooij
Allan Hunt
Robert Unwin