Pontus Aspenström – Rho GTPases in cancer cell migration
Cell migration is often de-regulated in human diseases, such as cancer. We are studying a group of proteins known as the RHO GTPases and our aim is to understand how signalling through RHO GTPases contributes to cancer cell migration. Our long-term goal is to discover proteins and genes that can function as targets for cancer therapies that prevent cell migration and metastasis of cancer cells.
RHO GTPases are related to the RAS oncogene, but have import and specific functions in the control of the morphogenetic and migratory properties of cells. The proteins have been linked to cancer and we are studying their role in cancer cell migration and in the organisation of the cytoskeleton.
The ultimate goal is to identify proteins and genes that can be targeted with drugs to reduce the increased potency for invasive growth and metastasis of cancer cells.

The role of MIRO GTPases in neurological diseases
We are also studying a group of proteins called MIRO GTPases that we originally identified in a screen for novel RHO GTPases. Subsequently, we found that they can be classified as a unique subfamily of GTPases. MIRO GTPases contain two putative GTPase domains separated by calcium-binding EF hands. We have shown that MIRO GTPases are part of the mitochondrial transport machinery and our current focus is on their role in neuropathology.
Group members
Publications
Diabetes compromises tight junction protein claudin 14 in the urinary bladder
Part of Cell and Tissue Research, p. 27-33, 2024
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Miro GTPases at the Crossroads of Cytoskeletal Dynamics and Mitochondrial Trafficking
Part of Cells, 2024
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MTSS1: beyond the integration of actin and membrane dynamics
Part of Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (CMLS), 2024
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Part of Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2023
- DOI for MTSS1 is downregulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) which disrupts adherens junctions leading to enhanced cell migration and invasion
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Altered cytoskeletal status in the transition from proneural to mesenchymal glioblastoma subtypes
Part of Scientific Reports, 2022
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Part of Nature Communications, 2022
- DOI for Diabetes downregulates the antimicrobial peptide psoriasin and increases E. coli burden in the urinary bladder
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The Role of Fast-Cycling Atypical RHO GTPases in Cancer
Part of Cancers, 2022
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Cytoskeletal Organization Correlates to Motility and Invasiveness of Malignant Mesothelioma Cells
Part of Cancers, 2021
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Palmdelphin Regulates Nuclear Resilience to Mechanical Stress in the Endothelium
Part of Circulation, p. 1629-1645, 2021
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Part of Cancers, 2021
- DOI for Syndecan-1 Overexpressing Mesothelioma Cells Inhibit Proliferation, Wound Healing, and Tube Formation of Endothelial Cells
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Inhibitors of cytoskeletal dynamics in malignant mesothelioma.
Part of Oncotarget, p. 4637-4647, 2020
- DOI for Inhibitors of cytoskeletal dynamics in malignant mesothelioma.
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Part of Cells, 2019
- DOI for The Intrinsic GDP/GTP Exchange Activities of Cdc42 and Rac1 Are A Critical Determinants for Their Specific Effects on Mobilization of the Actin Filament System
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Activated Rho GTPases in Cancer-The Beginning of a New Paradigm
Part of International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018
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Miro1 is a calcium sensor for glutamate receptor-dependent localization of mitochondria at synapses.
Part of Neuron, p. 541-555, 2009
Roles of F-BAR/PCH Proteins in the Regulation of Membrane Dynamics and Actin Reorganization
Part of International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology, p. 1-31, 2009
Part of Experimental Cell Research, p. 1040-1052, 2009
Bidirectional Ca2+-dependent control of mitochondrial dynamics by the Miro GTPase
Part of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, p. 20728-20733, 2008
Part of Experimental Cell Research, p. 3453-3465, 2008
Part of Molecular and Cellular Biology, p. 1802-14, 2008
Angiomotin regulates endothelial cell migration during embryonic angiogenesis
Part of Genes & Development, p. 2055-2068, 2007
Part of Toxicology, p. 12-23, 2007
Taking Rho GTPases to the next level: the cellular functions of atypical Rho GTPases
Part of Experimental Cell Research, p. 3673-3679, 2007
Pombe Cdc15 homology proteins: regulators of membrane dynamics and the actin cytoskeleton
Part of TIBS -Trends in Biochemical Sciences. Regular ed., p. 670-679, 2006
Part of Experimental Cell Research, p. 2180-2194, 2006
Part of Molecular and Cellular Biology, p. 1475-1488, 2005
The verprolin family of proteins: Regulators of cell morphogenesis and endocytosis
Part of FEBS Letters, p. 5253-5259, 2005
Part of Journal of Biological Chemistry, p. 42516-42527, 2004
Human CNK1 acts as a scaffold protein, linking Rho and Ras signal transduction pathways
Part of Molecular and Cellular Biology, p. 1736-1746, 2004
Integration of signalling pathways regulated by small GTPases and calcium
Part of Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, p. 51-58, 2004
Part of FEBS Letters, p. 159-166, 2004
Rho GTPases have diverse effects on the organization of the actin filament system
Part of Biochemical Journal, p. 327-337, 2004
Part of Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications - BBRC, p. 1034-1042, 2004
Smad7 is required for TGF-ß-induced activation of the small GTPase Cdc42
Part of Journal of Cell Science, p. 1835-1847, 2004
Part of Experimental Cell Research, p. 485-498, 2004
Vilse, a conserved Rac/Cdc42 GAP mediating Robo repulsion in tracheal cells and axons
Part of Genes & Development, p. 2161-2171, 2004
Part of Exp Cell Res, p. 356-69, 2004
Down-regulation of Rac activity during beta 2 integrin-mediated adhesion of human neutrophils
Part of Journal of Biological Chemistry, p. 24181-24188, 2003
Effect of transforming growth factor-beta on calcium homeostasis inprostate carcinoma cells.
Part of Biochem Biophys Res Commun, p. 643, 2003
Part of Molecular Biology of the Cell, p. 529-544, 2003
Part of Experimental Cell Research, p. 21-33, 2002
Part of Molecular Biology of the Cell, p. 902-914, 2002
Part of Blood, p. 1086-1094, 2001