Phosphoinositide Signaling in Disease

Phosphoinositides are important mediators of hormone and growth factor signals that determine cell proliferation, survival, morphology, metabolism and motility. These basic cellular functions are essential for the development and well being of complex organisms. When these cellular processes are dysregulated, disease can take place. Perturbations in phosphoinositide signaling have been directly implicated in the development of diseases. In fact, mutations in genes coding for phosphoinositide kinases and phosphatases have been linked to several human disorders. We are  pursuing the role of phosphoinositides in diabetes, cancer and  of muscle degeneration.