Dr. Patrick Laprise is a regular researcher in the Oncology axis of the CHU of Quebec-Laval University Research Centre. He is also a professor in the Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology at Laval University. His research activities focus on understanding cell polarity in cancer. Dr. Laprise also uses the fruit fly to highlight new strategies to combat tumor progression and cancer-related complications. His works have been published in prestigious journals and have been the subject of several editorial texts. In addition, two of his discoveries have been identified as major breakthroughs by Faculty of 1000.
Understanding the cellular and molecular basis of tumor progression
The vast majority of cancers originate from epithelial tissues. These cover the surface of the body and lining of the internal cavities of organs in order to compartmentalize the body and protect it from its environment. The epithelial cells adopt an asymmetrical morphology, called epithelial polarity, which is absolutely vital to their function. The loss of epithelial polarity contributes to the invasion of cancer cells and the formation of metastases. These are often responsible for the lethality associated with cancer. The identification of proteins contributing to the loss of polarity and the characterization of their biochemical properties makes it possible to identify therapeutic strategies for combating the progression of cancer.
Use of the fruit fly in the identification of oncology therapies
Cachexia occurs in many cancer patients. This systemic syndrome is characterized by a massive loss of muscle and fat tissue, which causes significant morbidity, and may even lead to death. Our ability to understand cachexia with traditional experimental models is limited because this syndrome is difficult to model with cultured cells. Additionally, it is financially and logistically unthinkable to test thousands of potential drugs in mice. It is possible to induce tumor formation and cachexia in fruit flies. This model offers an exceptional opportunity to screen large-scale molecule libraries to identify chemical compounds that prevent tumor formation, as well as cachexia associated with cancer. Indeed, it is easy, fast and inexpensive to work with flies, compared to mammals.
9, rue McMahon
1724-2
Québec, Québec
Canada G1R 2J6
Latest news
- IRSC : Un financement de près de 16 millions de dollars pour 34 projets de recherche 2023-03-07
- Un commutateur rapide et réversible : des chercheurs ont découvert le commutateur off d’une importante voie de communication cellulaire 2018-06-21
- 13 chercheurs se partagent plus de 800,000$ en subventions du CRSNG 2017-09-08
- Corriveau, FrançoisMaster studentL'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec+1 418-525-4444, extension 16743francois.corriveau@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
9 rue McMahon
1724
Québec, QC
Canada G1R 3S3 - Corriveau, FrançoisDoctoral studentL'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec+1 418-525-4444, extension 16743francois.corriveau@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
9 rue McMahon
1724
Québec, QC
Canada G1R 3S3 - Gamblin, ClémenceEmployeeL'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec+1 418-525-4444, extension 16743+1 418-691-5439Clemence.Gamblin@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
9, rue McMahon
1724
Québec, Québec
Canada G1R 2J6 - Garba, Maëlis NephtalieIntern
- Majeau, NathalieEmployeeL'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec+1 418-525-4444, extension 15582nathalie.majeau@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
9 rue McMahon
1724
Québec, QC
Canada G1R 3S3
The polarity protein Yurt associates with the plasma membrane via basic and hydrophobic motifs embedded in its FERM domain
Journal ArticleJ Cell Sci, 137 (10), 2024.
EPH receptor tyrosine kinases phosphorylate the PAR-3 scaffold protein to modulate downstream signaling networks
Journal ArticleCell Rep, 40 (1), 2022.
Pak1 and PP2A antagonize aPKC function to support cortical tension induced by the Crumbs-Yurt complex
Journal ArticleElife, 10 , 2021.
Adenoviral protein E4orf4 interacts with the polarity protein Par3 to induce nuclear rupture and tumor cell death
Journal ArticleJ Cell Biol, 219 (4), 2020.
Girdin is a component of the lateral polarity protein network restricting cell dissemination
Journal ArticlePLoS Genet, 16 (3), 2020.
A Fanci knockout mouse model reveals common and distinct functions for FANCI and FANCD2
Journal ArticleNucleic Acids Res, 47 (14), 2019.
Direct Phosphorylation of SRC Homology 3 Domains by Tyrosine Kinase Receptors Disassembles Ligand-Induced Signaling Networks
Journal ArticleMol Cell, 70 (6), 2018.
Oligomerization of the FERM-FA protein Yurt controls epithelial cell polarity
Journal ArticleJ Cell Biol, 217 (11), 2018.
CRB3A Controls the Morphology and Cohesion of Cancer Cells through Ehm2/p114RhoGEF-Dependent Signaling
Journal ArticleMol Cell Biol, 35 (19), 2015.
Girdin-mediated interactions between cadherin and the actin cytoskeleton are required for epithelial morphogenesis in Drosophila
Journal ArticleDevelopment, 142 (10), 2015.
Active projects
- Fonds de cancérologie et ses fonds liés, from 2005-04-01 to 2029-04-30
- Mécanismes moléculaires orchestrant la transition épithélio-mésenchymateuse, from 2023-04-01 to 2026-03-31
- Molecular mechanisms defining the size of biological tubes in vivo, from 2020-04-01 to 2025-03-31
- Régulation de la morphogenèse tissulaire par la signalisation dépendante des récepteurs EPH et des ligands éphrines, from 2024-04-01 to 2027-03-31
- Role and regulation of EPB41L5 in cancer-promoting cellular processes, from 2023-04-01 to 2028-03-31
Recently finished projects
- Exploration of a novel therapeutic strategy impeding triple-negative breast cancer growth and progression, from 2022-04-01 to 2023-03-31
- Projet de recherche portant sur l'exploration de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques pour combattre les cancers agressifs , from 2022-05-27 to 2023-05-26