News

Mutations in genes encoding PINK1 (PTEN-induced kinase 1) and the ubiquitin E3 ligase Parkin are associated with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. Several years ago the laboratory of Miratul Muqit discovered that upon mitochondrial damage, PINK1 can phosphorylate Parkin at a highly conserved residue, Serine 65 (Ser65), that lies within its N-terminal Ubiquitin-like domain (Ubl). Further, it was discovered that PINK1 can phosphorylate Ubiquitin at an equivalent Ser65 residue and this associates with Parkin in a complex to trigger maximal activation of Parkin E3 ligase activity. …more

Our flagship DSTT (Division of Signal Transduction Therapy) collaboration with pharmaceutical companies is still going remarkably strongly after 20 years. Founded in 1998, it is believed to be one of the longest continuous collaborations between academia and pharmaceutical companies.

As part of the Lister Prize that Yogesh Kulathu received last year, he has delivered a keynote lecture at the University of Dundee entitled “Reversing ubiquitylation: Mechanisms and functions of Deubiquitinases”. Sir Alex Markham (Chair) and Ms Kate Law (Director) of Lister Institute attended the lecture.

We are delighted to announce that MRC-PPU PI Miratul Muqit has been promoted to the rank of Professor. 

Miratul joined the MRC-PPU after he completed his clinical neurology training in 2008, to investigate the role of the Parkinson's disease PINK1 protein kinase that he played a key role in uncovering during his PhD in the laboratory of Nicholas Wood (UCL).

Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5/STK9) is a poorly understood protein kinase mutated in CDKL5 disorder. This disease is characterized by seizure onset before 3 months of age, severely impaired gross motor, language and hand skills and subtle but shared physical characteristics. It is not clear why mutations in CDKL5 cause this disease, especially as the cellular processes controlled by CDKL5 remain unknown and the cellular targets of CDKL5 and the mechanisms controlling its activity are also unclear. 

Metformin has been used as a first-line drug for the treatment of individuals with type 2 diabetes for over 60 years. The mechanism by which metformin lowers glucose levels in the blood has been controversial. It has been generally accepted that it is likely the that metformin’s effects are mediated through inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory complex I, which leads to the elevation of 5′ -adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels. …more

Dr Greg Findlay, a group leader in the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU) at the University of Dundee, has been awarded a prestigious Sir Henry Dale Fellowship from the Wellcome Trust and Royal Society.

This award provides Greg’s laboratory with 5 years funding worth £1 million that will allow him to study a newly discovered control mechanism for Embryonic Stem Cell (ESC) development that could help in the treatment of heart disease in the future.

One of the UK’s leading researchers into Parkinson’s disease has received a major funding award to continue with his groundbreaking work.

Dr Miratul Muqit, senior researcher at the University of Dundee’s Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU), has been awarded £2million following the renewal of his Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship in Clinical Science.

Laureation address by Dario Alessi, 22nd June 2018

Vice-Chancellor, I have the honour to present for the degree of doctor of laws honoris causa, Dr Michel Goedert. Michel has undertaken pioneering studies that have made major contributions to unravelling our understanding of several brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Lambert Montava Garriga, a PhD student in the Ganley Lab at the MRC PPU, was awarded the first-place poster prize at the Biochemical Society’s 83rd Harden Conference: Autophagy – from Molecules to Disease. …more