Research Interest

Actin dynamics and remodeling determine both cell shape and function. The research goal of my laboratory is to understand how signals from the extracellular ligands/receptors are transmitted to the cytoplasmic actin, leading to remodeling of the microfilament structure and regulation of cell function. While research in the laboratory addresses several broad issues related to the regulation of epithelial cell biology by the actin cytoskeleton, the main focus is on the molecular and functional characterization of an epithelial cell specific actin-nucleating, -capping, -severing and -crosslinking protein, villin. Recent interests include:

1. Understanding the interaction between cytoskeletal proteins and second messengers.
2. Structure-function studies examining the role of post-translational modification of actin regulatory proteins and microfilament organization.
3. Regulation of epithelial cell structure and function by microfilaments.
4. Regulation of cell motility including epithelial-mesenchymal transition by actin-binding proteins and microfilament organization.
5. Regulation of cell death (apoptosis and autophagy) by actin-binding proteins.

Selected Publications

Mathew S, George SP, Wang Y, Siddiqui MR, Srinivasan K, Tan L, Khurana S. Potential molecular mechanism for c-Src kinase-mediated regulation of intestinal cell migration. J Biol Chem. 2008 Aug 15;283(33):22709-22.

Khurana S, George SP. Regulation of cell structure and function by actin-binding proteins: villin's perspective. FEBS Lett. 2008 Jun 18;582(14):2128-39.

Wang Y, Srinivasan K, Siddiqui MR, George SP, Tomar A, Khurana S. A novel role for villin in intestinal epithelial cell survival and homeostasis. J Biol Chem. 2008 Apr 4;283(14):9454-64.

Khurana S, Tomar A, George SP, Wang Y, Siddiqui MR, Guo H, Tigyi G, Mathew S. Autotaxin and lysophosphatidic acid stimulate intestinal cell motility by redistribution of the actin modifying protein villin to the developing lamellipodia. Exp Cell Res. 2008 Feb 1;314(3):530-42. Epub 2007 Nov 12.

George SP, Wang Y, Mathew S, Srinivasan K, Khurana S. Dimerization and actin-bundling properties of villin and its role in the assembly of epithelial cell brush borders. J Biol Chem. 2007 Sep 7;282(36):26528-41.

Wang Y, Tomar A, George SP, Khurana S. Obligatory role for phospholipase C-gamma(1) in villin-induced epithelial cell migration. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2007 May;292(5):C1775-86.

Tomar A, George S, Kansal P, Wang Y, Khurana S. Interaction of phospholipase C-gamma1 with villin regulates epithelial cell migration. J Biol Chem. 2006 Oct 20;281(42):31972-86. Epub 2006 Aug 18.

Tomar A, Wang Y, Kumar N, George S, Ceacareanu B, Hassid A, Chapman KE, Aryal AM, Waters CM, Khurana S. Regulation of cell motility by tyrosine phosphorylated villin. Mol Biol Cell. 2004 Nov;15(11):4807-17.

Kumar N, Tomar A, Parrill AL, Khurana S. Functional dissection and molecular characterization of calcium-sensitive actin-capping and actin-depolymerizing sites in villin. J Biol Chem. 2004 Oct 22;279(43):45036-46.

Kumar N, Khurana S. Identification of a functional switch for actin severing by cytoskeletal proteins. J Biol Chem. 2004 Jun 11;279(24) 24915-8.

Kumar N, Zhao P, Tomar A, Galea CA, Khurana S. Association of villin with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate regulates the actin cytoskeleton. J Biol Chem. 2004 Jan 23;279(4):3096-110.

Zhai L, Kumar N, Panebra A, Zhao P, Parrill AL, Khurana S. Regulation of actin dynamics by tyrosine phosphorylation: identification of tyrosine phosphorylation sites within the actin-severing domain of villin. Biochemistry. 2002 Oct 1;41(39):11750-60.

Panebra A, Ma SX, Zhai LW, Wang XT, Rhee SG, Khurana S. Regulation of phospholipase C-gamma(1) by the actin-regulatory protein villin. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2001 Sep;281(3):C1046-58.

Zhai L, Zhao P, Panebra A, Guerrerio AL, Khurana S. Tyrosine phosphorylation of villin regulates the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. J Biol Chem. 2001 Sep 28;276(39):36163-7.

Khurana S, Arpin M, Patterson R, Donowitz M. Ileal microvillar protein villin is tyrosine-phosphorylated and associates with PLC-gamma1. Role of cytoskeletal rearrangement in the carbachol-induced inhibition of ileal NaCl absorption. J Biol Chem. 1997 Nov 28;272(48):30115-21.