overview

Major research interests: The overall research focus of my laboratory is studying the role of actin- binding proteins in cell migration and other actin-dependent processes in physiology and pathology at the molecular levels. Specifically, we are aiming to 1) understand the role of cytoskeletal proteins in the regulation of tumor growth, invasion and dissemination, metastatic colonization, and chemotherapy response of cancer cells, 2) identify novel drugs that have potential to block specific steps of tumor metastasis using high-throughput/high-content screening strategies, 3) Identify novel anti-angiogenic compounds, 4) understand molecular regulation of key controllers of cell migration, and 5) elucidate BRCA1's role in ovarian cancer metastasis. Most of our current efforts are centered on profilin-1, a ubiquitously expressed actin-binding protein that is essential for embryonic development and a key molecular regulator for actin dynamics in cells.

about

(2013) Chair of the session titled "New technologies in lab and clinic" at the Annual retreat of the Women's cancer research center of University of Pittsburgh.

(1997) Biomedical Eng. Student Nominee for the Nominata Award, Graduate school of Biomedical Sciences.

(1996) Sigma-Xi Award for excellence in research, Univ. of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Chapter.

Alfred and Potvin Outstanding Biomedical Engineering Student Award.

Postdoctoral Training in Cell Biology, University of North Carolina, 1999 - 2001

Postdoctoral Training in Cell Biology, Harvard University, 1998 - 1999

PhD, Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 1992 - 1997

MS, Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, 1989 - 1991

BE, Mechanical Engineering, Jadavpur University, 1985 - 1989

Gau, D., Lewis, T., McDermott, L., Wipf, P., Koes, D., & Roy, P. (2018). Structure-based virtual screening identifies a small-molecule inhibitor of the profilin 1-actin interaction. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 293(7), 2606-2616.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M117.809137.

Ding, Z., Joy, M., Kameneva, M.V., & Roy, P. (2017). Nanomolar concentration of blood-soluble drag-reducing polymer inhibits experimental metastasis of human breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press), 9, 61-65.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.2147/BCTT.S128777.

Gau, D., Veon, W., Capasso, T.L., Bottcher, R., Shroff, S., Roman, B.L., & Roy, P. (2017). Pharmacological intervention of MKL/SRF signaling by CCG-1423 impedes endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis. ANGIOGENESIS, 20(4), 663-672.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1007/s10456-017-9560-y.

Jiang, C., Ding, Z., Joy, M., Chakraborty, S., Kim, S.H., Bottcher, R., Condeelis, J., Singh, S., & Roy, P. (2017). A balanced level of profilin-1 promotes stemness and tumor-initiating potential of breast cancer cells. CELL CYCLE, 16(24), 2366-2373.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/15384101.2017.1346759.

Joy, M., Gau, D., Castellucci, N., Prywes, R., & Roy, P. (2017). The myocardin-related transcription factor MKL co-regulates the cellular levels of two profilin isoforms. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 292(28), 11777-11791.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M117.781104.

Gau, D., Veon, W., Zeng, X., Yates, N., Shroff, S.G., Koes, D.R., & Roy, P. (2016). Threonine 89 Is an Important Residue of Profilin-1 That Is Phosphorylatable by Protein Kinase A. In Paudel, H.K. (Ed.). PLOS ONE, 11(5), e0156313.Public Library of Science (PLoS). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156313.

Gau, D.M., Lesnock, J.L., Hood, B.L., Bhargava, R., Sun, M., Darcy, K., Luthra, S., Chandran, U., Conrads, T.P., Edwards, R.P., Kelley, J.L., Krivak, T.C., & Roy, P. (2015). BRCA1 deficiency in ovarian cancer is associated with alteration in expression of several key regulators of cell motility - A proteomics study. CELL CYCLE, 14(12), 1884-1892.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1036203.

Jiang, C., Veon, W., Li, H., Hallows, K.R., & Roy, P. (2015). Epithelial morphological reversion drives Profilin-1-induced elevation of p27kip1 in mesenchymal triple-negative human breast cancer cells through AMP-activated protein kinase activation. CELL CYCLE, 14(18), 2914-2923.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1069929.

Coumans, J.V.F., Gau, D., Poljak, A., Wasinger, V., Roy, P., & Moens, P. (2014). Green fluorescent protein expression triggers proteome changes in breast cancer cells. EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH, 320(1), 33-45.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2013.07.019.

Coumans, J.V.F., Gau, D., Poljak, A., Wasinger, V., Roy, P., & Moens, P.D.J. (2014). Profilin-1 Overexpression in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells Is Associated with Alterations in Proteomics Biomarkers of Cell Proliferation, Survival, and Motility as Revealed by Global Proteomics Analyses. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY, 18(12), 778-791.Mary Ann Liebert Inc. doi: 10.1089/omi.2014.0075.

Ding, Z., Joy, M., Bhargava, R., Gunsaulus, M., Lakshman, N., Miron-Mendoza, M., Petroll, M., Condeelis, J., Wells, A., & Roy, P. (2014). Profilin-1 downregulation has contrasting effects on early vs late steps of breast cancer metastasis. ONCOGENE, 33(16), 2065-2074.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/onc.2013.166.

Gau, D., Veon, W., Koes, D., Shroff, S., & Roy, P. (2014). T89 Phosphorylation is a Novel Post-Translational Modification for Critical Structure-Function Regulation of Profilin-1. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 25.

Joy, M.E., Vollmer, L.L., Hulkower, K., Stern, A.M., Peterson, C.K., Boltz, R.C., Roy, P., & Vogt, A. (2014). A High-Content, Multiplexed Screen in Human Breast Cancer Cells Identifies Profilin-1 Inducers with Anti-Migratory Activities. In Weaver, A.M. (Ed.). PLOS ONE, 9(2), e88350.Public Library of Science (PLoS). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088350.

Ding, Z., & Roy, P. (2013). Profilin-1 versus profilin-2: two faces of the same coin?. BREAST CANCER RESEARCH, 15(3), 311.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1186/bcr3433.

Ding, Z., Bae, Y.H., & Roy, P. (2012). Molecular insights on context-specific role of profilin-1 in cell migration. CELL ADHESION & MIGRATION, 6(5), 442-449. doi: 10.4161/cam.21832.

Ding, Z., Bae, Y.H., & Roy, P. (2012). Molecular insights on context-specific role of profilin-1 in cell migration. Cell Adhesion & Migration, 6(5), 442-534.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.4161/cam.21832.

Gau, D., Ding, Z., Baty, C., & Roy, P. (2011). Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-based Detection of Profilin-VASP Interaction. CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOENGINEERING, 4(1), 1-8.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1007/s12195-010-0133-z.

Bae, Y.H., Ding, Z., Das, T., Wells, A., Gertler, F., & Roy, P. (2010). Profilin1 regulates PI(3,4)P2 and lamellipodin accumulation at the leading edge thus influencing motility of MDA-MB-231 cells. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 107(50), 21547-21552.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1002309107.

Kam, L., & Roy, P. (2010). Cell mechanics and signaling: From micro to nano. Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, 3(1), 1-2.

Kam, L.C., & Roy, P. (2010). Special Issue: Cell Mechanics and Signaling: From Micro to Nano. CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOENGINEERING, 3(1), 1-2.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1007/s12195-010-0116-0.

Leloup, L., Shao, H., Bae, Y.H., Deasy, B., Stolz, D., Roy, P., & Wells, A. (2010). m-calpain Activation Is Regulated by Its Membrane Localization and by Its Binding to Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 285(43), 33549-33566.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.123604.

Zou, L., Ding, Z., & Roy, P. (2010). Profilin-1 Overexpression Inhibits Proliferation of MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells Partly Through p27kip1 Upregulation. JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, 223(3), 623-629.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jcp.22058.

Bae, Y.H., Ding, Z., Zou, L., Wells, A., Gertler, F., & Roy, P. (2009). Loss of Profilin-1 Expression Enhances Breast Cancer Cell Motility by Ena/VASP Proteins. JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, 219(2), 354-364.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jcp.21677.

Das, T., Bae, Y.H., Wells, A., & Roy, P. (2009). Profilin-1 Overexpression Upregulates PTEN and Suppresses AKT Activation in Breast Cancer Cells. JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, 218(2), 436-443.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jcp.21618.

Ding, Z., Gaua, D., Deasy, B., Wells, A., & Roy, P. (2009). Both actin and polyproline interactions of profilin-1 are required for migration, invasion and capillary morphogenesis of vascular endothelial cells. EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH, 315(17), 2963-2973.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2009.07.004.

Zou, L., Hazan, R., & Roy, P. (2009). Profilin-1 Overexpression Restores Adherens Junctions in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells in R-cadherin-dependent Manner. CELL MOTILITY AND THE CYTOSKELETON, 66(12), 1048-1056.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/cm.20407.

Zou, L., Jaramillo, M., Whaley, D., Wells, A., Panchapakesa, V., Das, T., & Roy, P. (2007). Profilin-1 is a negative regulator of mammary carcinoma aggressiveness. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER, 97(10), 1361-1371.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604038.

Boukhelifa, M., Moza, M., Johansson, T., Rachlin, A., Parast, M., Huttelmaier, S., Roy, P., Jockusch, B.M., Carpen, O., Karlsson, R., & Otey, C.A. (2006). The proline-rich protein palladin is a binding partner for profilin. FEBS JOURNAL, 273(1), 26-33.Wiley. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2005.05036.x.

Ding, Z., Lambrechts, A., Parepally, M., & Roy, P. (2006). Silencing profilin-1 inhibits endothelial cell proliferation, migration and cord morphogenesis. JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE, 119(19), 4127-4137.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/jcs.03178.

Roy, P., & Jacobson, K. (2004). Overexpression of profilin reduces the migration of invasive breast cancer cells. CELL MOTILITY AND THE CYTOSKELETON, 57(2), 84-95.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/cm.10160.

Marriott, G., Roy, P., & Jacobson, K. (2003). Preparation and light-directed activation of caged proteins. Methods Enzymol, 360, 274-288.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s0076-6879(03)60115-1.

Rajfur, Z., Roy, P., Otey, C., Romer, L., & Jacobson, K. (2002). Dissecting the link between stress fibres and focal adhesions by CALI with EGFP fusion proteins. Nat Cell Biol, 4(4), 286-293.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/ncb772.

Roy, P., Rajfur, Z., Pomorski, P., & Jacobson, K. (2002). Microscope-based techniques to study cell adhesion and migration. Nat Cell Biol, 4(4), E91-E96.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/ncb0402-e91.

Mar, P.K., Roy, P., Yin, H.L., Cavanagh, H.D., & Jester, J.V. (2001). Stress fiber formation is required for matrix reorganization in a corneal myofibroblast cell line. Exp Eye Res, 72(4), 455-466.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1006/exer.2000.0967.

Roy, P., Rajfur, Z., Jones, D., Marriott, G., Loew, L., & Jacobson, K. (2001). Local photorelease of caged thymosin beta4 in locomoting keratocytes causes cell turning. J Cell Biol, 153(5), 1035-1048.Rockefeller University Press. doi: 10.1083/jcb.153.5.1035.

Roy, P., Petroll, W.M., Cavanagh, H.D., & Jester, J.V. (1999). Exertion of tractional force requires the coordinated up-regulation of cell contractility and adhesion. Cell Motil Cytoskeleton, 43(1), 23-34.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0169(1999)43:1<23::AID-CM3>3.0.CO;2-M.

Roy, P., Petroll, W.M., Chuong, C.J., Cavanagh, H.D., & Jester, J.V. (1999). Effect of cell migration on the maintenance of tension on a collagen matrix. Ann Biomed Eng, 27(6), 721-730.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1114/1.227.

Roy, P., Petroll, W.M., Cavanagh, H.D., Chuong, C.J., & Jester, J.V. (1997). An in vitro force measurement assay to study the early mechanical interaction between corneal fibroblasts and collagen matrix. Exp Cell Res, 232(1), 106-117.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1006/excr.1997.3511.

Jester, J.V., Petroll, W.M., Huang, J., Roy, P., Barry-Lane, P.A., & Cavanagh, H.D. (1996). TGFβ1 modulated myofibroblast transformation via matrix interaction: Role in wound contraction. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 37(3).

Petroll, W.M., Roy, P., Chuong, C.J., Hall, B., Cavanagh, H.D., & Jester, J.V. (1996). Measurement of surgically induced corneal deformations using three-dimensional confocal microscopy. Cornea, 15(2), 154-164.Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). doi: 10.1097/00003226-199603000-00008.

Roy, P., Petroll, W.M., McKinney, A.E., & Chuong, C.J. (1996). Computational models of the effects of hydration on corneal biomechanics and the results of radial keratotomy. J Biomech Eng, 118(2), 255-258.ASME International. doi: 10.1115/1.2795969.

Radhakrishnan, S., Roy, P., & Ganesan, N. (1992). A comparative evaluation of different treatment methods of scoliosis correction by finite element technique. Automedica, 13, 253-66.

Roy, P., & Pal, S. (1992). A computer-aided graphics interactive system for geometric parameter analysis of complex biological sections. Automedica, 15, 47-56.

Gau, D.M., Chakraborty, S., Boone, D., Wells, A., & Roy, P. (2019). MRTF|Profilin is an important signaling axis for metastatic outgrowth of triple negative breast cancer cells. In CANCER RESEARCH, 79(13).American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2019-LB-043.

Guillonneau, X., Gau, D.M., Vignaud, L., Sturm, J., Francoeur, P., Koes, D., & Roy, P. (2019). First-generation small molecule antagonists of profilin1 suppresses pathological retinal neovascularization. In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 60(9).

Gau, D., Joy, M., Prywes, R., & Roy, P. (2017). Cellular externalization control of actin-binding protein profilin-1 is a novel mechanism for MKL-dependent regulation of cell migration. In MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 28.

Gau, D., Lewis, T., Mcdermott, L., Wipf, P., Koes, D., & Roy, P. (2017). Structure-based virtual screening to identify first-generation inhibitor of profilin1: actin interaction with anti-angiogenic property. In MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 28.

Gaul, D., Veon, W., Capasso, T., Lewis, T., Bottcher, R., Shroff, S., Roman, B., McDermott, L., Wipf, P., Koes, D., & Roy, P. (2017). Inhibition of MKL-Profilin Signaling Axis by Small Molecule Strategies Impedes Endothelial Cell Migration and Angiogenesis. In AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, 187(10), (pp. 2360-2361).

Sunseri, J., Koes, D.R., Roy, P., & Gau, D. (2017). Characterization of Profilin Binding Kinetics using Ensemble Molecular Dynamics Simulations. In BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL, 112(3), (p. 287A).Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.11.1554.

Gau, D., Veon, W., Capasso, T., Joy, M.E., Roman, B., Koes, D., & Roy, P. (2016). Small molecule-mediated inhibitions of transcriptional cofactor MKL and its downstream target profilin impedes endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis. In MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 27.

Joy, M.E., Gau, D., Castellucci, N., & Roy, P. (2016). Profilin occupies a critical node in actin/MKL/SRF signaling circuit. In MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 27.

Gau, D., Veon, W., Guo, Z., & Roy, P. (2015). Hyperactivation of Protein Kinase A inhibits endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis through phosphorylating and inhibiting actin-binding protein Profilin-1. In MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 26.

Jiang, C., Ding, Z., Joy, M., Vollmer, L., Gau, D., Kim, S.H., Singh, S., Vogt, A., & Roy, P. (2015). Profilin-1 is a key determinant for tumorigenic potential of breast cancer cells. In CANCER RESEARCH, 75(15_Supplement), (p. 4941).American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4941.

Jiang, C., Ding, Z., Vollmer, L., Joy, M.E., Kim, S., Boettcher, R.T., Condeelis, J.S., Singh, S., Vogt, A., & Roy, P. (2015). A balanced Profilin-1 expression promotes stemness, outgrowth and tumorigenic potential of breast cancer cells. In MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 26.

Joy, M., & Roy, P. (2015). Identification of a novel signaling axis that leads to co-induction of two major actin-regulatory proteins with anti-migratory properties in breast cancer cells. In CANCER RESEARCH, 75(15_Supplement), (p. 3260).American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3260.

Joy, M.E., & Roy, P. (2015). A non-canonical Rho-MRTF signaling co-regulates expressions of actin-regulatory protein isoforms implicated in breast cancer metastasis. In MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 26.

Ding, Z., Joy, M., Vollmer, L., Stern, A., Vogt, A., & Roy, P. (2014). Genetic and pharmacological proof-of-concept studies imply profilin-1 as a potential target for blocking metastatic colonization of breast cancer cells. Annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-128.

Gau, D.M., Lesnock, J., Krivak, T., Edwards, R., & Roy, P. (2014). BRCA1 impacts ovarian cancer cell migration through modulating Pfn1 expression. Annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-70.

Jiang, C., Veon, W., & Roy, P. (2014). Profilin-1 overexpression downregulates phosphorylation of p27kip1 leading to its nuclear accumulation in breast cancer cells. Annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1325.

Roy, P. (2013). Dichotomus role of profilin in early vs. late steps of breast cancer metastasis. In CANCER RESEARCH, 73(3_Supplement), (p. B42).American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.TIM2013-B42.

Ding, Z., Joy, M., Bhargava, R., Gunsaulus, M., Lakshman, N., Pal, S., Miron-Mendoza, M., Maiti, S., Petroll, M., Wells, A., & Roy, P. (2012). Profilin-1 downregulation promotes mammary tumor growth and dissemination but not metastatic colonization. In MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 23.

Veon, W.J., Shroff, S., & Roy, P. (2012). Insights into post-translational modification of Profilin-1. In MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 23.

Ding, Z., Bhargava, R., Lakshman, N., Petroll, M., & Roy, P. (2011). Profilin-1: a biomarker for breast cancer malignancy?. Annual meeting of the American Society of Cell Biology.

Joy, M., & Roy, P. (2011). Profilin-1 downregulation promotes transendothelial migration of breast cancer cells through increased VEGF secretion. Annual meeting of the American Society of Cell Biology.

Pai, D.M., Liles, R.G., Lambeth, C., Kumta, P.N., Borovetz, H.S., Pixley, S.K., Roy, P., & Sankar, J. (2011). Bootstrapping a new graduate curriculum through an Engineering Research Center. In ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings.

Pai, D.M., Liles, R.G., Lambeth, C., Kumta, P.N., Borovetz, H.S., Pixley, S.K., Roy, P., & Sankar, J. (2011). Bootstrapping a new graduate curriculum through an Engineering Research Center. In ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings.

Ding, Z., Parepally, M., & Roy, P. (2006). Perturbation of profilin modulates capillary morphogenesis and junctional stability of endothelial cells in vitro. In CANCER RESEARCH, 66(8).

Zou, L., Panchapakesa, V., & Roy, P. (2006). exploring profilin as a target for suppressing the migration of breast cancer cells. In CANCER RESEARCH, 66(8).

Research interests

angiogenesis
cell migration
cytoskeleton
phosphoinositide signaling in...
protein-protein interaction
tumor invasion/metastasis