Dr Gernot Walko

Gernot Walko

Senior Lecturer in Squamous Cell Carcinogenesis

Institute of Dentistry / Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regen
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

solid heart iconPublications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models

2024

409 A non-transcriptional function of the oncoprotein YAP contributes to squamous cell carcinogenesis
Bojko J, Howard A, Lay E, Gallacher K, Flynn B, Walko G
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Elsevier vol. 144 (12) 
01-12-2024
Boosting Skin Wound Healing by Agrin-Mediated YAP/TAZ Activation
Jungwirth 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 carcinoma
Kontou I, Pourzand C, Walko G, Jungwirth U
 
17-05-2024
O16 Understanding the pleiotropic effects of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 on human keratinocytes
Flynn B, Glallacher K, Walko G
 
17-05-2024
Generation of 3D Fibroblast-Derived Extracellular Matrix and Analysis of Tumor Cell-Matrix Interactions and Signaling
Lay 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 carcinoma
Bojko J, Walko G
 
01-12-2022
ESDR430 - A non-transcriptional role of the oncoprotein YAP in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
Bojko J, Walko G
 
15-09-2022
Targeting the Hippo/YAP/TAZ signalling pathway: Novel opportunities for therapeutic interventions into skin cancers
Howard 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 memory
Valencia 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 cells
Walko G, Woodhouse S, Pisco AO, Rognoni E, Liakath-Ali K, Lichtenberger BM, Mishra A, Telerman S et al.
 
01-09-2019
A genome-wide screen identifies YAP/WBP2/TEAD interplay conferring growth advantage on human epidermal stem cells.
Walko G, Lichtenberger B, Rognoni E
, Morressier 
20-08-2019
Delta-like 1-mediated cis-inhibition of Jagged1/2 signalling inhibits differentiation of human epidermal cells in culture
Negri 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 Skin
Rognoni 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 stiffness
Mobasseri 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 cells
Zijl 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 epidermis
Mishra 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 cells
Walko 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 networks
Osmanagic-Myers S, Rus S, Wolfram M, Brunner D, Goldmann WH, Bonakdar N, Fischer I, Reipert S et al.
Development, The Company of Biologists vol. 142 (23), e1.1-e1.1.  
01-12-2015
The cytolinker plectin regulates nuclear mechanotransduction in keratinocytes
Almeida 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 hemidesmosome
Walko 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 Muscle
Rezniczek 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 networks
Osmanagic-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 hemidesmosome
Walko 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 keratinocytes
Bonakdar 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 KP46
Jungwirth 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 filaments
Gregor 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 filaments
Walko 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 nerve
Castañón 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 keratinocytes
Valencia 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-Ogna
Walko 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 Simplex
Rezniczek 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 defects
Ackerl 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 migration
Osmanagic-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 ions
Hartmann R, Walko G, Justesen J
Febs Letters, Wiley vol. 507 (1), 54-58.  
02-10-2001

Grants

solid heart iconGrants of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models
bullet iconImproving 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