Research Description

The cytoskeleton, including microtubules, actin filaments, and intermediate filaments, undergoes constant remodeling in response to diverse cellular cues. We employ complementary multidisciplinary approaches to decipher how the dynamics and organization of microtubules and intermediate filaments are regulated. Our toolkit integrates structural methods (cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography) to elucidate molecular mechanisms at atomic resolution, real-time visualization techniques (high-resolution light microscopy) to capture polymer dynamics, and functional characterization methods (mass spectrometry, biophysics, and cell biology) to assess posttranslational modifications and physical properties. Through this integrated approach, we aim to understand how cytoskeletal meshwork supports fundamental cellular processes and to identify how dysregulation contributes to pathological conditions.

Selected Publications:

• Chen J, Zehr EA, Gruschus JM, Szyk A, Liu Y, Tanner ME, Tjandra N, Roll-Mecak A. Tubulin code eraser CCP5 binds branch glutamates by substrate deformation. Nature. 2024 Jul; 631(8022):905-912.
• Chen J. & Roll-Mecak A. Glutamylation is a negative regulator of microtubule growth. Mol Biol Cell. 2023 Jun 1;34(7):ar70.
• Chen J, Kholina E, Szyk A, Fedorov VA, Kovalenko I, Gudimchuk N, Roll-Mecak A. α-tubulin tail modifications regulate microtubule stability through selective effector recruitment, not changes in intrinsic polymer dynamics. Dev Cell. 2021 Jul 26;56(14):2016-2028.e4.