Experimenting with recipes and signaling proteins
When Alejandro Castillo–Kauil isn't working in the lab, you'll find him experimenting with new recipes in his kitchen. "One of my favorite places at home is the kitchen," Castillo–Kauil said. "It's like lab, and you can experiment. I love cooking, it works like a therapy."
When he perfects a recipe for a Mexican dish, he shares it with his friends and family.
Castillo–Kauil grew up in the Yucatan state of Mexico and pursued his undergraduate studies at the Autonomous University of Yucatan. In Rolffy Ortiz–Andrade's lab, he analyzed the antihyperglycemic effects of Morinda panamensis fruits on rat models. He learned how to use analytical chemistry tools and handle lab animals, and he became familiar with clinical chemistry concepts.
That lab also provided one of the teachers and mentors who triggered Castillo–Kauil's interest. "It was Dr. Ortiz–Andrade who inspired and motivated me to pursue a career in science," he said, "and then I moved to Mexico City to pursue my master's degree."
At the Centre of Research and Advanced Studies, part of Mexico's National Polytechnic Institute, Castillo–Kauil studied active constructs of guanine nucleotide exchange factor, or RhoGEFs, in Jose Vazquez–Prado's lab. He loved his research work so much that after earning his master's in pharmacology, he decided to pursue his Ph.D. in the same lab.
In addition to cooking, Castillo–Kauil enjoys cycling, watching classic and animated movies, and reading. He successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis in October and hopes to pursue postdoctoral research in the field of cell signaling.
Activation of Cdc42 by G proteins
Gα proteins are an important part of the cellular membrane and are actively involved in cell-signaling processes in mammals. They help actin cytoskeleton make cell shape adjustments through activating Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors, or RhoGEFs. RhoGEFs and the proteins with which they interact could be potential targets for molecules that might prevent the progression of cancer. A study of these cell signaling pathways is essential to develop pharmacological ways that could prevent cancer growth. Alejandro Castillo–Kauil and colleagues at the Vazquez–Prado lab in the Center of Research and Advanced Studies at Mexico's National Polytechnic Institute have tried to understand one such potential cell signaling pathway through investigating the activation of Cdc42 by G proteins.
Gα12 and Gα13 interact with RhoGEFs that drive RhoA activation, but researchers did not know if additional Gα proteins directly regulate these RhoGEFs. Castillo–Kauil and colleagues evaluated the morphological effects of constitutively active constructs from the subfamily of RhoGEFs activated via Gα12 and Gα13. All the constructs promoted cell contraction and activated RhoA, consistent with their known specificity. One of them, PRG, also induced filopodia-like cell protrusions and directly activated Cdc42, an ability that was increased by constitutive active Gαs.
Their results show that Gαs can recognize PRG as a novel effector to gain affinity for Cdc42. Further study of the involvement of this Gs/ PRG/Cdc42 pathway in cell migration could help researchers develop targets that might reduce progression of some cancers.
Enjoy reading 91影库Today?
Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.
Learn moreGet the latest from 91影库Today
Enter your email address, and we鈥檒l send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.
Latest in People
People highlights or most popular articles
Fliesler wins scientific and ethical awards
He is being honored by the University at Buffalo and the American Oil Chemists' Society for his scientific achievements and ethical integrity.
Hope for a cure hangs on research
Amid drastic proposed cuts to biomedical research, rare disease families like Hailey Adkisson鈥檚 fight for survival and hope. Without funding, science can鈥檛 鈥渃atch up鈥� to help the patients who need it most.
Before we鈥檝e lost what we can鈥檛 rebuild: Hope for prion disease
Sonia Vallabh and Eric Minikel, a husband-and-wife team racing to cure prion disease, helped develop ION717, an antisense oligonucleotide treatment now in clinical trials. Their mission is personal 鈥� and just getting started.
91影库members recognized as Allen investigators
Ileana Cristea, Sarah Cohen, Itay Budin and Christopher Obara are among 14 researchers selected as Allen Distinguished Investigators by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
AI can be an asset, 91影库educators say
Pedagogy experts share how they use artificial intelligence to save time, increase accessibility and prepare students for a changing world.
91影库undergraduate education programs foster tomorrow鈥檚 scientific minds
Learn how the society empowers educators and the next generation of scientists through community as well as accreditation and professional development programs that support evidence-based teaching and inclusive pedagogy.