Holger Sondermann
Robert N. Noyce Assistant Professor

Phone

607-253-3318
607-253-3659 (fax)

Address

Department of Molecular Medicine
C4-161, Veterinary Medicine Center
College of Veterinary Medicine
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-2703

Email

Web Sites

Background

• University of California, Berkeley, USA
  October 2001 - August 2005: Postdoctoral work, supervisor: Prof. Dr. J. Kuriyan
• The Rockefeller University, New York, USA
  July 2001 - October 2001: Postdoctoral work, supervisor: Prof. Dr. J. Kuriyan
• Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
  November 1997 - June 2001: PhD dissertation, supervisor: Prof. Dr. F. U. Hartl (summa cum laude)
• University of Cologne, Germany
  October 1992 - October 1997: Diploma in Biology
• Kaiserin-Theophanu-Gymnasium, Cologne, Germany
  August 1983 - May 1992: Abitur

Research Description

Cells respond to a large variety of signals using only a limited set of signaling modules which are organized in complex networks. The activity of these signaling switches is spatially and temporally regulated, and this regulation governs normal development and cellular homeostasis. Consequently, uncontrolled activation is a hallmark of many diseases such as cancer. It is therefore not surprising that the cell has intricate regulatory mechanisms in place to control signal transduction.

My lab is interested in deciphering the basic regulatory principles in signal transduction networks on a molecular level, focusing on growth factor receptor signaling. In particular, we study the role of scaffolding proteins and other regulators signal transduction in this pathway, using a combination of X-ray crystallography, biophysical and cellular approaches. Scaffolds, which serve as docking hubs for the signaling switches, provide specificity and higher-order control in signaling reactions. Understanding the architecture, mode of action and regulation of these processes will elucidate how cells respond to various inputs producing distinct outputs by using a limited set of molecules.

Publications

• Freedman, T.S.*, Sondermann, H.* , Friedland, G., Kortemme, T., Bar-Sagi, D., Marqusee, S., and Kuriyan, J. (2006). A Ras-induced conformational switch in the Ras activator Son of sevenless. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103(45): 16692-16697.
  (*These authors contributed equally to this work.) [link]
• Boykevisch, S., Zhao, C., Sondermann, H. , Philippidou, P., Halegoua, S., Kuriyan, J., and Bar-Sagi, D. (2006). Regulation of Ras signaling dynamics by Sos-mediated positive feedback. Current Biology 16(21): 2173-2179. [link]
• Pirruccello, M., Sondermann, H., Pelton, J.G., Pellicena, P., Hoelz, A., Chernoff, J., Wemmer, D.E., and Kuriyan, J. (2006). A dimeric kinase assembly underlying autophosphorylation in the p21 Activated Kinases. J Mol Biol 361: 312-326. [link]
• Sondermann, H. , Nagar, B., Bar-Sagi, D., and Kuriyan, J. (2005). Computational docking and X-ray scattering predict a membrane-interacting role for the histone domain of the Ras-activator Son of Sevenless. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102(46):16632-16637. [link1] [link2
• Sondermann, H. , and Kuriyan, J. (2005). C2 can do it, too. Cell 121:158-160 (Preview). [link]
  Mao, X., Ren, Z., Parker, G.N., Sondermann, H. , Pastorello, M.A., Wang, W., McMurray, J.S., Demeler, B., Darnell, J.E.Jr., and Chen, X. (2005). Structural bases of unphosphorylated STAT1 association and receptor binding. Molecular Cell 17(6):761-771. [link]
• Sondermann, H. *, Zhao, C.*, and Bar-Sagi, D. (2005). Analysis of Ras:RasGEF Interactions by Phage Display and Static Multi Angle Light Scattering. Methods 37(2):197-202) . (*These authors contributed equally to this work.) [link]

Click here for a full list of publications.