Receptor tyrosine kinase trafficking

There is increasing evidence linking oncogenic signalling of specific RTKs (e.g. MET and EGFR) with their intracellular traffic. We are focusing on HER2 trafficking in the context of HER2-amplified cancers and recently identified a supporting role for the sorting protein SORLA in HER2 recycling back to the plasma membrane. We found that disrupting SORLA-dependent recycling promotes lysosomal dysfunction and sensitises HER2-amplified cancer cells to lysosome-targeting cationic amphiphilic drugs. In our ongoing drug discovery programme, we are further delineating the mechanism of SORLA action in HER2 therapy resistance.

Related publication from the lab

1. Al Akhrass et al., Molecular Oncology (2021)
2. Al Akhrass et al., Oncogene (2021)
3. Pietilä et al., Nature Communications (2019)