The cyclin-dependent kinase 4 is a major metabolic regulator

Organizer: IRB Barcelona 
Date: Wednesday February 7, 13:00
Place: Aula Felix Serratosa, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Spain

Host: Antonio Zorzano, PhD – IRB Barcelona

Abstract

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of normal physiological homeostasis, but also of pathological conditions. Growing evidences exist about the regulatory crosstalk between metabolic pathways, cell cycle progression and cell division: our laboratory has shown that cell metabolism is reprogrammed through the regulation of metabolic enzymes by various cell cycle regulators. In particular, the Cdk4 pathway controls metabolism of non-proliferative cells, and their activity is altered especially under pathological conditions. We found that Cdk4 is a key regulator of cell signaling that influences the activity of major growth mediators, including the AMPK or the IGF1R pathways in response to stress. In particular, we provide evidence that support a direct interaction of Cdk4 with these pathways. Moreover, the overall metabolic phenotype of CDK4-/- mice underscores the complexity of pathologies such as diabetes concerning the relative participation of each individual organ.

Molecular Medicine Programme Seminar