Work in our group focuses on the proteins of the centrosome, and on their role in nucleation and organization of microtubules. We try to understand how microtubules are formed from the gamma-tubulin ring complex, a template structure consisting of gamma-tubulin and associated proteins. We investigate the protein interactions that trigger assembly and activation of this multi-protein complex. Because the centrosome loses its function as a microtubule-organizing centre in many differentiated cell types, and because centrosome proteins re-localize to novel sites of microtubule organization, we study the underlying mechanisms in two cellular models, myoblasts and skin keratinocytes.
Lecland N, Hsu CY, Chemin C, Merdes A, Bierkamp C. Epidermal development requires ninein for spindle orientation and cortical microtubule organization Life Sci Alliance 2019 Mar 2:e201900373. doi: 10.26508/lsa.201900373.
Hsu CY, Lecland N, Pendaries V, Viodé C, Redoulès D, Paul C, Merdes A, Simon M, Bierkamp C.. Stabilization of microtubules restores barrier function after cytokine-induced defects in reconstructed human epidermis. J Dermatol Sci. 2018 Jul;91(1):87-96. 2018 Jul
Farache D, Emorine L, Haren L, Merdes A.. Assembly and regulation of gamma-tubulin complexes. Open Biol. 2018 Mar;8(3). pii: 170266. 2018 Mar
Lecland N, Merdes A. . Centriolar satellites prevent uncontrolled degradation of centrosome proteins: a speculative review Cell Stress, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 20 - 24 2018 Feb
Cukier CD, Tourdes A, El-Mazouni D, Guillet V, Nomme J, Mourey L, Milon A, Merdes A, Gervais V.. NMR secondary structure and interactions of recombinant human MOZART1 protein, a component of the gamma-tubulin complex. Protein Sci. 2017 Nov;26(11):2240-2248. 2017 Nov