Dr Gernot Walko
Senior Lecturer in Squamous Cell Carcinogenesis
Institute of Dentistry / Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regen
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
Squamous cell carcinoma, Cell signalling, Skin biology, Hippo/YAP/TAZ signalling
Interests
Using state of the art proteomics and transcriptomics approaches and RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies in combination with (i) conventional 2D cell culture techniques, (ii) 3D-organotypic SCC equivalents, and (iii) zebrafish xenograft squamous cell carcinoma models, the Walko lab is defining overlapping and non-redundant roles of the oncoproteins YAP and TAZ in human SCC initiation and progression and identifying the different transcriptional binding partners that enable YAP/TAZ to execute their various downstream transcriptional programmes.Publications
2024
409 A non-transcriptional function of the oncoprotein YAP contributes to squamous cell carcinogenesisBojko J, Howard A, Lay E, Flynn B
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Elsevier vol. 144 (12)
01-12-2024
Boosting Skin Wound Healing by Agrin-Mediated YAP/TAZ ActivationJungwirth U, Walko G
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Elsevier vol. 145 (1), 6-8.
14-09-2024
P04 How fibroblasts and azathioprine prepare the soil for cutaneous squamous cell carcinomaKontou I, Pourzand C, Walko G
17-05-2024
O16 Understanding the pleiotropic effects of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 on human keratinocytesFlynn B, Glallacher K
17-05-2024
Generation of 3D Fibroblast-Derived Extracellular Matrix and Analysis of Tumor Cell-Matrix Interactions and SignalingLay E, Grant T, Walko G, Jungwirth U
In Imaging Cell Signaling, Springer Nature 11-25.
01-01-2024
2022
430 A non-transcriptional role of the oncoprotein YAP in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomaBojko J
01-12-2022
Targeting the Hippo/YAP/TAZ signalling pathway: Novel opportunities for therapeutic interventions into skin cancersHoward A, Bojko J, Flynn B, Bowen S, Jungwirth U, Walko G
Experimental Dermatology, Wiley vol. 31 (10), 1477-1499.
12-08-2022
2020
Plectin dysfunction in neurons leads to tau accumulation on microtubules affecting neuritogenesis, organelle trafficking, pain sensitivity and memoryValencia RG, Mihailovska E, Winter L, Bauer K, Fischer I, Walko G, Jorgacevski J, Potokar M et al.
Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, Wiley vol. 47 (1), 73-95.
25-06-2020
2019
581 A genome-wide screen identifies YAP/WBP2/TEAD interplay conferring growth advantage on human epidermal stem cellsWalko G, Woodhouse S, Pisco AO, Rognoni E, Liakath-Ali K, Mishra A, Telerman S, Viswanathan P
01-09-2019
A genome-wide screen identifies YAP/WBP2/TEAD interplay conferring growth advantage on human epidermal stem cells.Walko G, Lichtenberger B
, Morressier
20-08-2019
Delta-like 1-mediated cis-inhibition of Jagged1/2 signalling inhibits differentiation of human epidermal cells in cultureNegri VA, Logtenberg MEW, Renz LM, Oules B, Walko G, Watt FM
Scientific Reports, Springer Nature vol. 9 (1)
25-07-2019
The Roles of YAP/TAZ and the Hippo Pathway in Healthy and Diseased SkinRognoni E, Walko G
Cells, Mdpi Ag vol. 8 (5), 411-411.
03-05-2019
Patterning of human epidermal stem cells on undulating elastomer substrates reflects differences in cell stiffnessMobasseri SA, Zijl S, Salameti V, Walko G, Stannard A, Garcia-Manyes S, Watt FM
Acta Biomaterialia, Elsevier vol. 87, 256-264.
30-01-2019
2018
Micro-scaled topographies direct differentiation of human epidermal stem cellsZijl S, Vasilevich AS, Viswanathan P, Helling AL, Beijer NRM, Walko G, Chiappini C, de Boer J et al.
Acta Biomaterialia, Elsevier vol. 84, 133-145.
05-12-2018
2017
A protein phosphatase network controls the temporal and spatial dynamics of differentiation commitment in human epidermisMishra A, Oulès B, Pisco AO, Ly T, Liakath-Ali K, Walko G, Viswanathan P, Tihy M et al.
Elife, Elife vol. 6
18-10-2017
A genome-wide screen identifies YAP/WBP2 interplay conferring growth advantage on human epidermal stem cellsWalko G, Woodhouse S, Pisco AO, Rognoni E, Liakath-Ali K, Lichtenberger BM, Mishra A, Telerman SB et al.
Nature Communications, Springer Nature vol. 8 (1)
23-03-2017
2015
Plectin reinforces vascular integrity by mediating crosstalk between the vimentin and the actin networksOsmanagic-Myers S, Rus S, Wolfram M, Brunner D, Goldmann WH, Bonakdar N, Zuzuarregui A
Development, The Company of Biologists vol. 142 (23), e1.1-e1.1.
01-12-2015
The cytolinker plectin regulates nuclear mechanotransduction in keratinocytesAlmeida FV, Walko G, McMillan JR, McGrath JA, Wiche G, Barber AH, Connelly JT
Journal of Cell Science, The Company of Biologists vol. 128 (24), 4475-4486.
02-11-2015
Molecular architecture and function of the hemidesmosomeWalko G, Castañón MJ, Wiche G
Cell and Tissue Research, Springer Nature vol. 360 (3), 529-544.
29-05-2015
Chapter Thirteen Functional and Genetic Analysis of Plectin in Skin and MuscleRezniczek GA, Winter L, Walko G, Wiche G
Methods in Enzymology, Elsevier vol. 569, 235-259.
29-05-2015
Plectin reinforces vascular integrity by mediating crosstalk between the vimentin and the actin networksOsmanagic-Myers S, Rus S, Wolfram M, Brunner D, Goldmann WH, Bonakdar N, Fischer I, Reipert S et al.
Journal of Cell Science, The Company of Biologists vol. 128 (22), 4138-4150.
01-01-2015
2014
Molecular architecture and function of the hemidesmosomeWalko G, Castañón MJ, Wiche G
Cell and Tissue Research, Springer Nature vol. 360 (2), 363-378.
09-12-2014
Determining the mechanical properties of plectin in mouse myoblasts and keratinocytesBonakdar N, Schilling A, Spörrer M, Lennert P, Mainka A, Winter L, Walko G, Wiche G et al.
Experimental Cell Research, Elsevier vol. 331 (2), 331-337.
14-10-2014
Calpain-Mediated Integrin Deregulation as a Novel Mode of Action for the Anticancer Gallium Compound KP46Jungwirth U, Gojo J, Tuder T, Walko G, Holcmann M, Schöfl T, Nowikovsky K, Wilfinger N et al.
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 13 (10), 2436-2449.
01-10-2014
2013
Mechanosensing through focal adhesion‐anchored intermediate filamentsGregor M, Osmanagic‐Myers S, Burgstaller G, Wolfram M, Fischer I, Walko G, Resch GP, Jörgl A et al.
The Faseb Journal, Wiley vol. 28 (2), 715-729.
17-12-2013
Stabilization of the dystroglycan complex in Cajal bands of myelinating Schwann cells through plectin‐mediated anchorage to vimentin filamentsWalko G, Wögenstein KL, Winter L, Fischer I, Feltri ML, Wiche G
Glia, Wiley vol. 61 (8), 1274-1287.
09-07-2013
Plectin–intermediate filament partnership in skin, skeletal muscle, and peripheral nerveCastañón MJ, Walko G, Winter L, Wiche G
Histochemistry and Cell Biology, Springer Nature vol. 140 (1), 33-53.
09-06-2013
Intermediate filament-associated cytolinker plectin 1c destabilizes microtubules in keratinocytesValencia RG, Walko G, Janda L, Novacek J, Mihailovska E, Reipert S, Andrä-Marobela K, Wiche G
Molecular Biology of The Cell, American Society For Cell Biology (Ascb) vol. 24 (6), 768-784.
30-01-2013
2011
Targeted Proteolysis of Plectin Isoform 1a Accounts for Hemidesmosome Dysfunction in Mice Mimicking the Dominant Skin Blistering Disease EBS-OgnaWalko G, Vukasinovic N, Gross K, Fischer I, Sibitz S, Fuchs P, Reipert S, Jungwirth U et al.
Plos Genetics, Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 7 (12)
01-12-2011
2010
Plectin Gene Defects Lead to Various Forms of Epidermolysis Bullosa SimplexRezniczek GA, Walko G, Wiche G
Dermatologic Clinics, Elsevier vol. 28 (1), 33-41.
01-01-2010
2009
Targeted Inactivation of a Developmentally Regulated Neural Plectin Isoform (Plectin 1c) in Mice Leads to Reduced Motor Nerve Conduction Velocity*Fuchs P, Zörer M, Reipert S, Rezniczek GA, Propst F, Walko G, Fischer I, Bauer J et al.
Journal of Biological Chemistry, Elsevier vol. 284 (39), 26502-26509.
22-07-2009
Plectin Isoform-dependent Regulation of Keratin-Integrin α6β4 Anchorage via Ca2+/Calmodulin*Kostan J, Gregor M, Walko G, Wiche G
Journal of Biological Chemistry, Elsevier vol. 284 (27), 18525-18536.
06-05-2009
2007
Conditional targeting of plectin in prenatal and adult mouse stratified epithelia causes keratinocyte fragility and lesional epidermal barrier defectsAckerl R, Walko G, Fuchs P, Fischer I, Schmuth M, Wiche G
Journal of Cell Science, The Company of Biologists vol. 120 (14), 2435-2443.
15-07-2007
2006
Plectin-controlled keratin cytoarchitecture affects MAP kinases involved in cellular stress response and migrationOsmanagic-Myers S, Gregor M, Walko G, Burgstaller G, Reipert S, Wiche G
Journal of Cell Biology, Rockefeller University Press vol. 174 (4), 557-568.
14-08-2006
2001
Inhibition of 2′‐5′ oligoadenylate synthetase by divalent metal ionsHartmann R, Walko G, Justesen J
Febs Letters, Wiley vol. 507 (1), 54-58.
02-10-2001
YAP engages RIF1 to dampen replication stress in squamous cell carcinomaBojko J, Flynn B, Aschenbrenner B, Howard A, Lay E, Bailey E, Krajic N, Catalan S et al.
In Biorxiv
A protein phosphatase network controls the temporal and spatial dynamics of differentiation commitment in human epidermisIn Biorxiv
ESDR430 - A non-transcriptional role of the oncoprotein YAP in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.Bojko J, Walko G
Grants
Improving the regenerative capacity of Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa skin by re-activating YAP/TAZ signalling.Gernot Walko, Matthew Caley and Emanuel Rognoni
£139,962 DEBRA UK
01-04-2025 - 31-03-2029