CRC seminar - Dr. Vincenzo Coppola

Speaker

Dr. Vincenzo Coppola
Associate Professor
Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics 
Wexner Medical Center
Ohio State University - Comprensive Cancer Center
Columbus, Ohio, US

Title

The uniqueness of the CTLH complex at the crossroad of signaling and metabolism

Host

Professor Philipp Kaldis

Abstract

In recent years the worlds of cell signaling and metabolism have been finally coming together. Increasing evidence shows how metabolism is to be coordinated with signaling for an efficient allocation and use of resources. However, our understanding of this coordination is still rudimentary. To regulate in unison ongoing biological processes, both signaling and metabolism require a great deal of tightly controlled “housekeeping” work, of which we know very little. 

The CTLH complex is an evolutionary conserved multisubunit E3 ligase that is emerging as a unique tool that regulates both signaling and metabolism. The CTLH complex is a formidable molecular machinery that respond to different types of stress, including DNA damage, and intervenes during cellular transitions. It is inextricably connected to the major cellular bioenergetics signaling nodes such as mTOR and AMPK, and appears to be able to regulate all branches of metabolism through ubiquitylation. 

Dr. Coppola will present work from his lab focusing on two key components of this fascinating molecular machinery, RanBP9 and RanBP10. He will highlight how the CTLH complex is endowed with extraordinary molecular plasticity and how different configurations of this multi-subunit enzyme can regulate a myriad of targets with features that are unique among E3 ligases. 

Short bio

Dr. Coppola is an associate professor in the Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center of the Ohio State University. He obtained his Medical Degree at the University of Naples “Federico Secondo” and his Specialization in Oncology at the University of Padua in Italy. He then spent 13 years at the NCI/Center for Cancer Research in Frederick MD, before moving to the Ohio State University. There, he has established his research program, founded and directed the Genetically Engineered Mouse Modeling Core until 2022 in support of mouse modeling of human disease across the University biomedical research campus. 

Over the years, his lab has worked on the physiological and pathological role of CTLH complex members. His most recent published work leveraged innovative cellular and murine models to reveal how the CTLH complex is functioning like a “biological buffer” coordinating metabolism with the rest of cellular processes.