SBS Research Pillar Key Visual for Structural and Cell Biology Mobile Version

Profile Photo of SBS Faculty Peter Cheung

Dr. Cheung, Peter

Senior Lecturer

Phone: (65) 6316 2849
Email: [email protected]

My research concerns the identification and mapping of signaling pathways involved in inflammation. Currently, we are investigating the mechanism of activation of TAK1, a mitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK). TAK1 is activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and also by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Engagement of these three stimuli with their receptors leads to the activation of the inflammatory response via the JNK, p38α and NFκB pathways which all lie downstream of TAK1. However, dysregulation of these pathways can lead to chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and asthma. As TAK1 is a key component in transducing inflammatory signals, inhibition of TAK1 by therapeutic means may be attractive as treatment for these diseases.

Research Areas

Cell signaling

  • Dai, L., Lin, J., Binte Said, A., Yau, Y.H., Geifman Shochat, S., Ruiz-Carrillo, D., Sun, K., Chandrasekaran, R., Sze, S.K., Lescar, J., and Cheung, P.C.F. “Pellino1 Specifically Binds to Phospho-Thr18 of p53 and Is Recruited to Sites of DNA Damage.” Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (BBRC), April 12, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.03.095.
  • Ruiz-Carrillo, D., Lin, J., El Sahili, A., Wei, M., Sze, S.K., Cheung, P.C.F., Doerig, C., and Lescar, J. “The Protein Kinase CK2 Catalytic Domain from Plasmodium falciparum: Crystal Structure, Tyrosine Kinase Activity and Inhibition.” Scientific Reports 8, no. 1 (2018): 7365. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-25738-5
  • Liu, X., Dai, L., Chan, A.T., Xi, J., and Cheung, P.C.F. “TAK1ng the Road from Immunity to DNA Damage and Beyond.” IUBMB Life 64, no. 10 (2012): 825–834. https://doi.org/10.1002/iub.1078
  • Smith, H., Liu, X.Y., Dai, L., Goh, E.T., Chan, A.T., Xi, J., Seh, C.C., Qureshi, I.A., Lescar, J., Ruedl, C., Gourlay, R., Morton, S., Hough, J., McIver, E.G., Cohen, P., and Cheung, P.C. “The Role of TBK1 and IKKε in the Expression and Activation of Pellino 1.” Biochemical Journal 434, no. 3 (2011): 537–548. https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20101421.