Abnormal cellular signaling is the fundamental attribute of cancer. Dr. Lazo's laboratory has focused mostly on understanding the biochemical basis for anticancer drug actions and on identifying novel agents that affect aberrant cellular signaling. Most recently, Professor Lazo has been interested in the biological functions of protein phosphatases, metallothionein and cysteine proteases in normal and malignant cells. A key question being addressed is whether subcellular location of these proteins regulates their function. Using combinatorial approaches and small molecule libraries, his laboratory is also probing the active site structure and function of protein phosphatases. This laboratory has identified a novel neutral cysteine protease that inactivates one class of anticancer drugs. Experiments are currently examining whether or not this enzyme also participates in vital cellular signaling and protein processing. |
