Prof. Dr. Abdalla Mohamed Jama

About
Our laboratory is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying B and T cell activation. To this end, we have over the past decade tried to dissect intracellular signaling pathways that are involved in the activation of the cytoplasmic non-receptor tyrosine kinases, BTK (Bruton’s tyrosine kinase) and ITK (IL-2 activated tyrosine kinase). These kinases are critical in key biological process in lymphocytes including development, differentiation, activation and signaling. Accordingly, loss-of-function mutations in the genes that encode these kinases often lead to primary immunodeficiencies and/or cancer. We are also interesting in questions that particularly address gene transfer into mammalian cells.  Therefore, we are currently developing novel vectors for delivering therapeutic genes into disease cells in situations like cancer, hereditary diseases and AIDS. Second, we would like to identify novel reagents from indigenous plants in the rainforest that could be employed to facilitate gene transfer into mammalian cells and tissues and/or modulate gene expression. Finally, potential bioactive compounds from medicinal plant extracts that could inhibit these kinases would have implications in biotechnology and medicine.

Teaching Area
Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Cell Biology, Biotechnology

Current Research
BTK activation and signaling, Gene therapy for HIV and Huntington disease

Research Interests
Molecular basis of disease, cellular signaling, gene and cell therapy, stem cell

Publications

• Mohamed AJ, Liang Yu, Bäckesjö C-M, Vargas L, Faryal R, Aints A, Christensson B, Berglöf A,Vihinen M, BF. Nore  and Smith CIE (2009): Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (Btk) – function, regulation and transformation.  Immunol. Reviews 228: 58-73
• Yu L, Mohanram V, Simonson OE, Smith CIE, Spetz AL, Mohamed AJ. (2009). Proteasome inhibitors block HIV-1 replication by affecting both cellular and viral targets. Biochem Biophys Res Commun385: 100-105
• Hussain A, Faryal R, Nore BF, Mohamed AJ, Smith CIE. (2009). Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase-dependent phosphorylation of SLP-76 by the lymphoma-associated ITK-SYK fusion-protein.Biochem Biophys Res Commun 390, 892-896
• Gustafsson MO, Hussain A, Mohammad DK, Mohamed AJ, Nguyen V, Metalnikov P, Colwill K, Pawson T, Smith CIE and Nore BF (2012). Regulation of nucleo/cytoplasmic shuttling of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) through a novel SH3-dependent interaction with Ankyrin Repeat Domain 54 (ANKRD54). Mol Cell Biol. 32(13): 2440-2453
• Dara K. Mohammad,a,b Beston F. Nore, Alamdar Hussain, Manuela O. Gustafsson, Abdalla J. Mohamed, C. I. Edvard Smith. Dual Phosphorylation of Btk by Akt/Protein Kinase B Provides Docking for 14-3-3, Regulates Shuttling, and Attenuates both Tonic and Induced Signaling in B Cells.Mol. Cell. Biol. 2013, 33(16):3214.