Research groups

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Research

Human retinal pigment epithelial cell (RPE1) stably expressing tandem-tagged mCherry-GFP-LC3 (a marker for early and late autophagosomes).

Molecular regulation autophagy

We study the molecular regulation of autophagy in mammalian cells and how autophagy contributes to cell death in development and disease.

Autophagy is an important catabolic process that protects cells during nutrient starvation, hypoxia and other stresses. It contributes - both positively and negatively - to many important human diseases, so understanding how it is controlled is a major priority. We have a long-standing interest in how apoptosis and autophagy are regulated cooperatively at the molecular level, and are studying the regulation of the Atg4 family of autophagic endopeptidases by caspases. Our current research programmes also explore the roles of autophagy during human erythropoiesis, how mitophagy is controlled through the Pink1/Parkin pathway, and how the early autophagosome membrane is shaped and expanded. We also have clinical links exploring how autophagy protects cells in disease (e.g. Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s diseases, childhood leukeamia, nanotoxicology).

Please visit the Lane Lab website for further information and for current vacancies.

Group

Virginie Betin, Lilith Mannack, Tom MacVicar, Heather Weir.

Recent publications

Weir HJM, Murray TK, Kehoe PG, Love S, O’Neill MJ, Lane JD*, Balthasar N*. (2012) CNS Sirt3 expression is altered by reactive oxygen species and in Alzheimer’s disease. PLOS ONE. 7(11): e48225. (*corresponding authors)

Griffiths RE, Kupzig S, Cogan N, Mankelow TJ, Betin VMS, Trakarnsanga K, Massey EJ, Parsons SF, Anstee DJ, Lane JD. (2012) The ins and outs of human reticulocyte maturation: Autophagy and the endosome/exosome pathway. Autophagy. 8: 1150-1151.

Griffiths RE, Kupzig S, Cogan N, Mankelow TJ, Betin VMS, Trakarnsanga K, Massey EJ, Lane JD, Parsons SF, Anstee DJ. (2012) Maturing reticulocytes internalise plasma membrane in glycophorin A-containing vesicles which fuse with autophagosomes prior to exocytosis. Blood. 119: 6269-6306.

Betin VMS, MacVicar TBD, Parsons SF, Anstee DJ, Lane JD. (2012) A cryptic mitochondrial targeting motif in Atg4D links caspase cleavage with mitochondrial import and oxidative stress. Autophagy. 8: 664-676.

View all publications listed on the University of Bristol's publication database