Publications by authors named "P A Handford"

Article Synopsis
  • The Notch receptor is activated by ligands from the Delta/Serrate/Lag-2 family, but the structure of its signaling complex is not fully understood.
  • This study focuses on the Notch-1 EGF 20-27 region, using advanced techniques like crystallography and NMR, revealing it has a rigid yet flexible structure influenced by calcium ions.
  • Findings indicate that variations in the Notch-1 protein affect its activation by ligands, highlighting the importance of calcium in maintaining structural integrity and the role of different interactions in Drosophila mutations.
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The canonical members of the Jagged/Serrate and Delta families of transmembrane ligands have an extracellular, amino-terminal C2 domain that binds to phospholipids and is required for optimal activation of the Notch receptor. Somatic mutations that cause amino substitutions in the C2 domain in human JAGGED1 (JAG1) have been identified in tumors. We found in reporter cell assays that mutations affecting an N-glycosylation site reduced the ligand's ability to activate Notch.

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ELTD1/ADGRL4 is an adhesion GPCR with an important role in angiogenesis. We recently identified a role for ELTD1 in wound repair and inflammation. Activation of ELTD1 in endothelial cells results in a type II EMT to myofibroblast-like cells that have enhanced angiogenic ability.

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Accurate Notch signalling is critical for development and homeostasis. Fine-tuning of Notch-ligand interactions has substantial impact on signalling outputs. Recent structural studies have identified a conserved N-terminal C2 domain in human Notch ligands which confers phospholipid binding in vitro.

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