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LMCB - Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology

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Adolfo Saiardi's picture
LMCB Group Leader, UCL Professor of Cell Signaling
 
+44 (0)20 7679 7254
LMCB Room 3.03
 
Regulation of cell signalling by inositol pyrophosphates

Research synopsis

The Saiardi lab is interested in the intersection between signalling and basic metabolism. Specifically, we study the role played by inositol pyrophosphates in maintaining cell homeostasis.

Inositol pyrophosphates are present in all eukaryotic cells and belong to the inositol phosphate family of soluble signaling molecules. Both inositol phosphates and inositol pyrophosphates are obtained by the combinatorial attachment of phosphate groups to inositol. However, the inositol pyrophosphates are distinguished by their one or more high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds (pyro-moieties). The energy stored in these bonds provides the inositol pyrophosphates with the potential to take part in new and not yet fully understood molecular actions.

The structure of these molecules and their conservation in eukaryotic biology suggests a fundamental signalling role, acting through a unique mechanism. Alteration of inositol pyrophosphate levels has been associated with a wide collection of phenotypes as well as important human pathology such as obesity, diabetes and cancer. These pleiotropic effects suggest an ability to control a central cellular function.

Our finding that inositol pyrophosphates regulate intracellular levels of ATP places these molecules at the interface between signalling and basic metabolism. Research in our lab focuses on understanding how inositol pyrophosphates regulate basic metabolism.

Saiardi lab research imageSaiardi lab research image

Selected publications

Azevedo C & Saiardi A (2016).  Eukaryotic Phosphate Homeostasis: The Inositol Pyrophosphate Perspective. Trends Biochem Sci. doi:10.1016/j.tibs.2016.10.008
Azevedo C, et al (2015). Protein Polyphosphorylation of Lysine Residues by Inorganic Polyphosphate. MOLECULAR CELL, 58 (1), 71-82. CELL PRESS. doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2015.02.010
Wilson MS, et al (2013). Inositol pyrophosphates: between signalling and metabolismBiochem J, 452 (3), 369-379. doi:10.1042/BJ20130118
Szijgyarto Z, et al (2011). Influence of inositol pyrophosphates on cellular energy dynamics. Science, 334 (6057), 802-805. doi:10.1126/science.1211908
Lonetti A, et al (2011). Identification of an evolutionarily conserved family of inorganic polyphosphate endopolyphosphatasesJ Biol Chem, 286 (37), 31966-31974. doi:10.1074/jbc.M111.266320

Funders

Medical Research Council

Research themes

Signalling pathways
Metabolism
 

Technology

Light microscopy
Translational research
Electron microscopy
 

People

Filipy Borghi (Research Associate)
Xue (Bessie) Su (Research Associate)

 

Collaborators

Jonathan Chubb (LMCB, UK)
Antonella Riccio (LMCB, UK)
Chris Stefan (LMCB, UK)
Bojan Djordjevic (University of Sydney, Australia)
Henning J. Jessen (Albert-Ludwigs-University, Germany)
Pina Rose (University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy)
Steve B. Shears (NIEHS, USA)
Marco Gaspari (University of Catanzaro, Italy)
Gabriel Schaaf (University Tübingen, Germany)