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Faculty Profile Last Modified Time: 11:55:00 AM Mon, 20 Apr 2020   Contact Information Askar Akimzhanov Associated Profiles  Assistant Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UT Health Science Center at Houston   Medical School Building, Room No.: 6.168    Askar.M.Akimzhanov@uth.tmc.edu     (713) 500-7686    Web Link    Apoptosis, Signal Transduction, Adaptive Immunity, T Lymphocytes, T Cell Biology, T Cell Immunology, Calcium Signaling, Cell Physiology, T Cell Signaling, Palmitoylation, Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck), DHHC    Associated Profiles Professional Preparation Research and Expertise Affiliations Appointments  Professional Preparation  Degree Major Institution Year  PhD Molecular Pathology University of Wurzburg 2005  MS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Novosibirsk State University 1999  Research and Expertise Research Interests   Protein S-acylation is a reversible post-translational modification of cysteine residues by a variety of fatty acid species. Although protein S-acylation was discovered more than 30 years ago and S-acylated proteins have been implicated in pathogenesis of several diseases including cancer, cardiovascular and immune disorders, it remains one of the most understudied post-translational protein modifications. High lability, one of the key features of protein S-acylation, along with its prominent effect on the protein function, makes it an attractive mechanism for the regulation of intracellular signaling. In particular, rapid changes in the protein palmitoylation (S-acylation with a palmitic acid moiety) status could provide a molecular basis for activation of plasma membrane-localized signaling proteins by targeting them into specific plasma membrane subdomains. We propose a model in which the engaged TCR complex recruits and activates plasma membrane-associated PATs to increase palmitoylation of key signaling proteins. We aim our studies (a) to analyze the dynamics and regulation of stimulus-dependent palmitoylation of Lck, LAT and other members of TCR signaling pathway and (b) to uncover a previously uncharacterized role of DHHC PATs in the regulation of T cell signaling. We expect that inclusion of a novel class of regulatory enzymes into the canonical TCR signaling pathway would greatly expand the range of potential therapeutic targets for diseases associated with altered T cell homeostasis.  Publications/Creative Works Click here to search for this faculty member's publications on PubMed.  Affiliations  Research Consortia GCC Cluster for Cellular and Molecular Biophysics Gulf Coast Consortia Immunology Cluster  Appointments Title Department / School Institution Assistant Professor Biochemistry and Molecular Biology UT Health Science Center at Houston

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