Thomas Höfken

Academic qualifications

• 1998: PhD, University of Marburg and University of Bochum (Germany)
• 1993: Diplom (equivalent to MSc) in Biology, University of Bochum (Germany)

• Since 2010: Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, Brunel University
  
• 2004-2010: Lecturer, University of Kiel (Germany)
  
• 2002-2004: Postdoctoral Scientist, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Manchester
  
• 2000-2002: Postdoctoral Scientist, Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow
  
• 1998-1999: Postdoctoral Scientist, University of Bern (Switzerland)

Teaching responsibilities

Module co-ordinator for

• BB 1203 Research Skills

Contribution to other modules

• BB1202 Biochemistry: Structure and Function
• BB1204 Practical Skills in Biomedical Sciences

Research interests

Cell polarisation is critical for numerous biological processes such as asymmetric cell division, cell migration and cell morphology. The Rho type GTPase Cdc42 plays a crucial role in the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity in eukaryotes. We study the underlying molecular mechanisms of cell polarisation using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our research focuses on the identification and characterization of novel functions of the Cdc42 effectors and p21-activated kinases (PAKs) Ste20, Cla4 and Skm1. Previously we have demonstrated that these proteins regulate the localisation of Cdc42, exit from mitosis and lipid homeostasis. Currently, we examine the role of the PAKs Ste20, Cla4 and Skm1 in the regulation of transcription and vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) activity.

Many fungal pathogens of humans such as Candida albicans are capable of reversible transitions between yeast and filamentous forms. These transitions are regulated by the PAKs Ste20 and CaCla4 and play an important role in the virulence of these pathogens. We examine the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Research centres

• Centre for Cell and Chromosome Biology (CCCB)
• Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms (CIIDM)

Publications

Journal Papers

(2013) Foster, HA., Cui, M., Naveenathayalan, A., Unden, H., Schwanbeck, R. and Höfken, T., The Zinc Cluster Protein Sut1 Contributes to Filamentation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae., Eukaryot Cell 12 (2) : 244- 253 Download publication

(2012) Lin, M., Li, SC., Kane, PM. and Höfken, T., Regulation of vacuolar H+-ATPase activity by the Cdc42 effector Ste20 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae., Eukaryot Cell 11 (4) : 442- 451 Download publication

(2009) Lin, M., Grillitsch, K., Daum, G., Just, U. and Höfken, T., Modulation of sterol homeostasis by the Cdc42p effectors Cla4p and Ste20p in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, FEBS Journal 276 (24) : 7253- 7264

(2009) Lin, M., Unden, H., Jacquier, N., Schneiter, R., Just, U. and Höfken, T., The Cdc42 effectors Ste20, Cla4, and Skm1 down-regulate the expression of genes involved in sterol uptake by a mitogen-activated protein kinase-independent pathway, Molecular Biology of the Cell 20 (22) : 4826- 4837

(2008) Tiedje, C., Sakwa, I., Just, U. and Höfken, T., The Rho GDI Rdi1 regulates Rho GTPases by distinct mechanisms, Molecular Biology of the Cell 19 (7) : 2885- 2896

(2007) Tiedje, C., Holland, DG., Just, U. and Höfken, T., Proteins involved in sterol synthesis interact with Ste20 and regulate cell polarity., J Cell Sci 120 (Pt 20) : 3613- 3624 Download publication

(2004) Höfken, T. and Schiebel, E., Novel regulation of mitotic exit by the Cdc42 effectors Gic1 and Gic2., J Cell Biol 164 (2) : 219- 231 Download publication

(2002) Höfken, T. and Schiebel, E., A role for cell polarity proteins in mitotic exit., EMBO J 21 (18) : 4851- 4862 Download publication

(2000) Weber, H., Wagner, AC., Jonas, L., Merkord, J., Höfken, T., Nizze, H., Leitzmann, P., Göke, B. and Schuff-Werner, P., Heat shock response is associated with protection against acute interstitial pancreatitis in rats., Dig Dis Sci 45 (11) : 2252- 2264 Download publication

(2000) Höfken, T., Keller, N., Fleischer, F., Göke, B. and Wagner, AC., Map kinase phosphatases (MKP's) are early responsive genes during induction of cerulein hyperstimulation pancreatitis., Biochem Biophys Res Commun 276 (2) : 680- 685 Download publication

(2000) Pereira, G., Höfken, T., Grindlay, J., Manson, C. and Schiebel, E., The Bub2p spindle checkpoint links nuclear migration with mitotic exit., Mol Cell 6 (1) : 1- 10 Download publication

(1999) Metzler, W., Höfken, T., Weber, H., Printz, H., Göke, B. and Wagner, AC., Hyperthermia, inducing pancreatic heat-shock proteins, fails to prevent cerulein-induced stress kinase activation., Pancreas 19 (2) : 150- 157 Download publication

(1999) Wagner, AC., Metzler, W., Höfken, T., Weber, H. and Göke, B., p38 map kinase is expressed in the pancreas and is immediately activated following cerulein hyperstimulation., Digestion 60 (1) : 41- 47 Download publication

(1998) Höfken, T., Linder, D., Kleene, R., Göke, B. and Wagner, AC., Membrane dipeptidase and glutathione are major components of pig pancreatic zymogen granules., Exp Cell Res 244 (2) : 481- 490 Download publication