Michael Kapiloff

Specificity and efficacy in intracellular signal transduction can be conferred by the anchoring and co-localization of key enzymes and their upstream activators and substrate effectors by scaffold proteins. The Kapiloff lab investigates “signalosomes” formed by scaffold proteins, asking fundamental questions such as: 1) how are signalosomes constituted; 2) how are upstream signals integrated by signalosomes to regulate in a concerted manner downstream effectors; 3) what is the physiologic relevance of these signalosomes; and 4) can signalosomes be targeted in a clinically relevant manner so as to constitute new therapeutic strategies. In particular, the Kapiloff lab studies signaling within the myocardium and retina. Using a comprehensive approach that includes biochemistry, cell biology, and in vivo physiology, ongoing projects address the regulation of pathological cardiac remodeling and the effects of disease on retinal neurons.